[Terrapreta] The Science of Terra Preta Formation

[Kevin Chisholm]

Dear Sean

Sean K. Barry wrote:
> Hi Kevin,
>  
> There is much archeolgical evidence about pottery shards in TP.

I would not call it evidence, so much as I would call it "Archeological 
Observations." They have loads of archeological observations about the 
nature of pottery shards and their presence in Terra Preta. These 
observations have indeed been used as evidence to support the hypothesis 
that Terra Preta has been made by Man.
> As far
> as I know, nobody has presented a proven, credible explanation for the
> presence or purpose or significance of the pottery shards found in TP.

Exactly! I have seen nothing to show that pottery shards are a necessary 
constituent to Terra Preta, or equally, nothing to show that it is not a 
necessary constituent. It seems to me that the pottery shards have been 
observed and assessed as archeological curios, with little to no effort 
to explain how they got into the TP, or why they are there, or their 
significance to TP manufacture.
> I think it might be more productive to observe what pottery evidence 
> there is and speculate to form a hypothesis for how it was used,

What would would you look for in the pottery shards, or how would you 
propose that these Archeological Observations be further used as 
evidence?  Do you not need to first pose a hypothesis, and then seek to 
prove or disprove it? How do you know what to look for, if you do not 
first have a hypothesis?
> rather than speculate or hypothesize a use and then go looking for 
> evidence to support that speculation.

Any hypothesis is a "speculation":

   1. A tentative explanation for an observation, phenomenon, or
      scientific problem that can be tested by further investigation.
   2. Something taken to be true for the purpose of argument or
      investigation; an assumption.
   3. The antecedent of a conditional statement.

Demanding that one presents proof before one formulates a hypothesis is 
very unscientific. A "cart before the horse" condition.
> The reason I say this is that the evidence supports the whole process, 
> development of the hypothesis and support of that hypothesis.

In my opinion,  you have it exactly in reverse. In my opinion, the 
process is:
1: Form an initial hypothesis
2: Refine the initial hypothesis and develop it further
3: Find evidence to prove or disprove the hypothesis.

This is how I am proceeding. I formed and posted my initial hypothesis, 
and sought comment from this Forum. Isn't that a reasonable, methodical 
and Scientific way to proceed? I am in the process of analysing the 
feedback, with a view to refining the hypothesis. Evidence is not 
necessary to form a hypothesis. Rather, evidence is necessary to prove 
or disprove a hypothesis.
>   It is a weaker argument only to confirm the consequence or 
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument_from_ignorance
That reference is irrelevant at the stage of the formation and 
development of a hypothesis. However, it is very relevant at the stage 
where proof or disproof of a hypothesis is being claimed.. However, we 
are not there yet... I am still working on development of a hypothesis 
to explain the origin and development of Terra Preta.

It is impossible to prove or disprove a hypothesis until after the 
hypothesis is stated. An Archeological observation or phenomenon is not 
evidence unless it is being used to prove or disprove a hypothesis. As 
far as I am aware, the only use of pottery shards as actual evidence is 
to support the Terra Preta Anthropogenic Hypothesis, that Man was 
involved in the production of Terra Preta.

Best wishes,

Kevin
>
> Regards,
>  
> SKB
>
>     ----- Original Message -----
>     *From:* Kevin Chisholm <mailto:kchisholm at ca.inter.net>
>     *To:* Tom Miles <mailto:tmiles at trmiles.com>
>     *Cc:* 'Terra Preta' <mailto:terrapreta at bioenergylists.org>
>     *Sent:* Saturday, April 05, 2008 5:28 PM
>     *Subject:* Re: [Terrapreta] The Science of Terra Preta Formation
>
>     Dear Tom
>
>     Tom Miles wrote:
>     > Kevin,
>     >
>     > One example is petrography used by paleobotanists and
>     archaeologists to
>     > identify the mineral components in terra preta pottery shards,
>     as described
>     > in references like Amazonian Dark Earths.
>     >  
>
>     That good work is more of an observation of what we can see now about
>     Terra Preta, but it tells little or nothing about how Terra Preta was
>     made, or how to make it now. That is more "The Archaeology of Terra
>     Preta", rather than "The Science of Terra Preta Formation."
>
>     Once a credible theory or hypothesis for Terra Preta Formation is
>     presented, THEN we will know what archeological evidence to look
>     for to
>     confirm or negate the hypothesis.
>
>     There is much archeolgical evidence about pottery shards in TP. As
>     far
>     as I know, nobody has presented a proven, credible explanation for
>     the
>     presence or purpose or significance of the pottery shards found in TP.
>
>     Do you have a credible explanation for why the pottery shards, as
>     Archaelogical realities, are found in Amazonian TP?
>
>     Best wishes,
>
>     Kevin
>     > Tom
>     >
>     >  
>     >> -----Original Message-----
>     >> From: Kevin Chisholm [mailto:kchisholm at ca.inter.net]
>     >> Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2008 2:10 PM
>     >> To: Tom Miles
>     >> Cc: 'Terra Preta'
>     >> Subject: The Science of Terra Preta Formation
>     >>
>     >> Dear Tom
>     >>
>     >> Tom Miles wrote:
>     >>    
>     >>> ...del...
>     >>>
>     >>> We've had both science and speculation about how it all began in
>     >>>      
>     >> Terra
>     >>    
>     >>> Preta de Indio in the Amazons and how it can be recreated. And
>     we've
>     >>> tried to maintain a modest reading list/bibliography on the
>     website.
>     >>>
>     >>> http://terrapreta.bioenergylists.org/biblio
>     >>>
>     >>>      
>     >> What would you say is the Science of Terra Preta formation?
>     >>
>     >> Thanks.
>     >>
>     >> Kevin
>     >>
>     >>    
>     >
>     >
>     >
>     >  
>
>
>
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