tradiviorTradivior investigates questions that often sit between history, anthropology, religion, medicine, archaeology and science. Source quality therefore depends on the claim being made.
Modern scientific evidence
For scientific and medical questions we prioritize systematic reviews, meta-analyses, randomized or well-designed controlled studies where appropriate, peer-reviewed research, and major scientific or medical institutions. Individual studies may be useful, but are interpreted in the context of the wider evidence rather than treated as decisive simply because they are published.
Historical evidence
For historical questions we prioritize primary texts where they are relevant and responsibly translated, archaeology, inscriptions, manuscripts, material culture, specialist scholarship and academic publications. The absence of written evidence is not automatically evidence of absence, but neither is later folklore sufficient to prove an ancient origin.
Traditional meaning
To understand what a practice means to communities, we may use religious and cultural texts, recognized translations, documented practitioners, ethnographic scholarship and reputable cultural studies. A community’s explanation is important evidence of meaning; it is not automatically evidence that an associated scientific claim is correct.
Discovery sources versus evidentiary sources
General websites, news articles, encyclopedias and Wikipedia can help locate names, dates or references during research. They should not normally form the evidentiary foundation for a substantive conclusion when stronger primary or academic material is available.
Evidence Profiles
Where appropriate, an investigation summarizes six dimensions: Historical Authenticity, Original-Purpose Evidence, Scientific Mechanism, Experimental Evidence, Cross-Cultural Evidence and Modern Relevance. Each dimension may be rated Strong, Moderate, Limited, Inconclusive, Unsupported or N/A.
These ratings are editorial syntheses, not mathematical scores. A strong mechanism with weak experimental evidence is different from strong historical authenticity with little evidence for a modern health claim. Keeping the dimensions separate is intentional.
Historical connection requires its own evidence
One of Tradivior’s most important rules is that a modern effect does not prove an ancient explanation. If fasting alters metabolic markers today, for example, that does not establish that a sacred fasting calendar was created because historical practitioners understood those biomarkers. Historical intent must be supported historically.
Conflicting evidence
When credible evidence conflicts, we describe the disagreement rather than hiding it. Study quality, population differences, measurement, chronology and competing interpretations may explain why sources reach different conclusions. “Evidence unclear” is a legitimate conclusion when certainty would overstate the record.
Evidence review dates
Investigations may carry internal evidence-review metadata so that important topics can be revisited as research changes. Major updates should be reflected in the article and, when material, in its conclusion or Evidence Profile.