About & methodology

What this site is

An evidence-first directory of claims about the ancient past: the dating of the Sphinx and pyramids, pyramids around the world, cities revealed by LiDAR, megalithic construction, and the Younger Dryas and catastrophe-cycle ideas. We state each claim in its strongest form, list what has been measured, set out the arguments on each side and link the primary sources.

How we weigh evidence

Measured vs inferred. Every claim page has a separate "What has been measured" box for dates, measurements and documented finds. Interpretation goes in the argument columns. A measurement can be solid while the conclusion drawn from it is not.
Newest observations count slightly more. Archaeology's consensus often lags new field evidence by years. The Amazon is the clearest example. When a recent, well-documented observation conflicts with an older consensus, we give the new observation a little extra weight and say so.
Newest includes corrections. Retractions and failed replications are new observations too. We report them on the claim pages, with the authors' response where they gave one.
The door stays open. Some ideas that start outside the mainstream turn out to be fully or partly right. Leading Edge is a status, not a verdict of "false".

How status labels work

Mainstream Supported by multiple independent lines of evidence and most of the peer-reviewed literature.
Contested Credible, published evidence on more than one side, or an open question under active research.
Leading Edge Ideas proposed or debated but not yet backed by replicated, peer-reviewed, dated evidence, or currently in tension with that evidence. Leading Edge does not mean "proven false", and Mainstream does not mean "proven true".
Verdict: Open question Used with Leading Edge when we take a neutral position on a debated idea. These entries give the proponents' main arguments and cited evidence first, then the mainstream position and its evidence, then what evidence would help settle the question.
Other verdicts summarise the evidence in a few words, for example "Measured: c. 9500 BCE" or "Excavation dates them to the 19th century".

Labels reflect the published evidence on the date shown and change when the evidence changes. Labels describe claims, not people. We do not judge researchers, authors or organisations.

Not professional advice

Everything here is general educational information. It is not legal, medical, financial, travel-safety or any other professional advice. Before visiting any site, check official travel advice.

Corrections

If we have misstated a claim, a date or a source, email [email protected]. We will review it and update the page.

Our sister site Solar Evidence covers solar physics and the geomagnetic field using the same method, including the solar micronova evidence review. See also our affiliate disclosure, privacy notice, terms and copyright policy.