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The Ādam Paradox Hypothesis 237
Archaeology
1. Apply Bayesian chronological modeling to existing data from
Blombos, Diepkloof, Qafzeh, and related sites.
Explanation: Sites like Blombos Cave (South Africa) and Qafzeh (Levant)
contain some of the earliest symbolic artifacts (engraved ochre, shell beads,
burials).
Traditional dating can be fuzzy. Bayesian models combine multiple dating
methods and probabilities to create much sharper timelines.
The question: do these sites show a gradual spread of symbols or a sudden
cluster around ~70kya?
2. Establish an APH Symbolic Database as an open-access repository of
dated symbolic artifacts.
Explanation: Right now, data on symbolic artifacts is scattered in journals
and museum records.
Creating a shared, searchable database will allow scientists worldwide to
check patterns, test predictions, and compare dates — making research
faster, transparent, and falsifiable.
3. Fund exploratory digs in under-studied regions (Arabia, Central Asia,
Sahara margins).
Explanation: Much of the “story
” of early humans comes from a handful of
famous sites. But key regions, like the Arabian Peninsula (a migration
corridor), Central Asia, and the edges of the Sahara, remain poorly
explored.
New excavations there could reveal either missing pieces of gradualism or
confirm a sudden appearance of symbols in multiple regions.
Tools
1. Radiometric dating labs
Radiometric methods (like carbon dating, uranium-series dating,
luminescence dating) measure how old an artifact or layer of sediment is by
tracking natural radioactive decay.
These techniques let archaeologists assign precise ages to beads, ochres,
carvings, or cave layers, showing when symbolic behaviors appeared.