Prehistory Decoded

 The following paper will be submitted to the meeting, "Second MULTIDISCIPLINARY STUDY DAYS geo-archaeological on Mediterranean megalithism" (Palermo, Sicily, November, 2025). Early Developments in Astronomy, Arithmetic and Proto-Writing at Göbekli Tepe Martin B. Sweatman School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. Abstract Göbekli Tepe, a megalithic site in southern Anatolia, consists of many sub-circular enclosures formed by megalithic T-shaped pillars and a large number of other rectangular buildings. The pillars of this very early settlement, some standing over 5 m tall, are adorned with a complex system of symbols, including animal symbols and other geometric symbols. It is believed to date to ~ 9,500 BCE, although an older origin date within the Epi-palaeolithic period is likely. Recent analyses of Göbekli Tepe’s iconography suggest that its builders possessed conceptual understanding in astronomy, arithmetic, and proto-writing far earlier t...

Recently, Mark Boslough (who else?) wrote yet another scathing piece about the Comet Research Group and the Younger Dryas Impact Hypothesis (YDIH) in the Skeptical Enquirer (he's a long time member of their college).  The Problem with Inadequately Reviewed Fringe Science | Skeptical Inquirer In it, he holds himself judge and jury for an entire field of science; namely extraterrestrial impacts. Indeed, he infers the YDIH is is worse than pseudoscience; he regards it as a massive fraud, similar to Piltdown Man x 100. But the YDIH is actually a complex scientific debate that has raged for nearly 20 years and has pushed the boundaries of the science of airburst impacts. Ironically, (given the volume's title - see above), Boslough doesn't address any of these emerging scientific issues. Instead, he tackles the people involved. As aleady pointed out by James Powell in his "Premature Rejection" and "Pillars of Salt" articles, Peer review and the pillar of salt:...