This dense dating program served several purposes: it allowed researchers to identify any inconsistencies in the stratigraphic sequence (dates that were in the wrong order relative to their stratigraphic position would indicate disturbance), it provided much stronger statistical confidence in the age estimates for specific layers, and it extended the chronological documentation of the site to cover periods both before and after the pre-Clovis deposits, providing context for interpreting the oldest evidence.

The independent testing component of the 2012 research was particularly important.

The original coprolite DNA analysis had been conducted at specific laboratories.

For the 2012 paper, additional coprolite specimens were analyzed at different, independent laboratories whose personnel did not know the stratigraphic context or the results of the original analysis — a “blind” test designed to prevent any inadvertent bias in the results.

If the original DNA results were genuine and reproducible, independent laboratories analyzing different specimens from the same context should obtain similar results.