10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the variables for which data and associated probabilities are assigned comprise at least one variable representing a presently measurable or observable quantity and at least one variable representing a geologic age factor and at least one variable representing a paleogeographic factor, and wherein the unknown variables solved for include at least one representing paleoenvironmental conditions.
11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising assigning, to each variable for which data and associated probabilities are assigned, a single data value or range of data values with probability of unity.