Transmission theory: what the heck was Tolkien thinking?

[Rhun charioteer]

This has the rather uncomfortable implication that the Silmarillion didn't actually "happen" but was numenorian embellishment.

So I am inclined to view it as Tolkien's quixotic but ultimately pointless effort later in life to have mythos conform with science.

If you ask me that isn't necessary and is more damaging to the story than redeeming so I'll say the Silmarillion was an "accurate" description of things that took place.