Right, synchronisms, that’s exactly what and how it gets done.
The Oracle chicks at Delphi sat right on top of a crack in the ground and got high as a kite from the gases leaking out of it. That’s remarked on in at least one ancient source (not in the original handwriting or anything). Early in the 20th century a French archaeologist dug and examined the site and proclaimed that there was no sign of any crack, and it was accepted.
In the 1980s a Dutch archaeologist with a geology background did work up there, measured and mapped the whole temple site, and found that not one but two natural fissures crossed right under where the oracle sat and spoke to visitors. He didn’t think anything of it.
Another archaeologist who (like so many others) had accepted the received opinion went up there with the Dutch guy and couldn’t believe how obvious the fissures were. Tests on deposits in the fissures (they no longer out-gas) found the chemistry that confirmed the ancient account.
Mysteries Of The Ancient World — March 13, 2016
(time index to the Delphi segment)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEkvHq98vWA&t=2595
More modern sidebar:
George Washington existed, his burial place is known, loads of his activities are known from a single source — but he didn’t throw a coin across the Delaware River and didn’t chop down the cherry tree.
“More modern sidebar:
“George Washington existed, his burial place is known, loads of his activities are known from a single source — but he didn’t throw a coin across the Delaware River and didn’t chop down the cherry tree.”
But, but, the consensus among many [insert group] is that he did do those things.
;^)