Torsion-Born Early Dark Energy with an Onset Locked to Matter–Radiation Equality: Derivation and Pre-Registered Likelihood Tests

We construct early dark energy from spacetime torsion: promoting the Barbero–Immirzi parameter to a field gives acanonical pseudoscalar φ = √(3/2) M_Pl arsinh(1/γ) which, with one assumed potential V = Λ⁴[1 − cos(φ/F)]³, isaxion-like early dark energy. We fix its onset to matter–radiation equality and its decay constant toF = √(3/2) M_Pl / 9, and test the model with CAMB + Cobaya, with every decision rule written down and hashed beforeeach run. On a blind test with Planck + ACT DR6 + DESI DR2 + Pantheon+, the two-parameter model improves on ΛCDM byΔχ² = −7.23 (ΔAIC = −3.23, ≈2.2σ, H₀ = 70.4 km/s/Mpc), and the one-parameter version by Δχ² = −6.14 (≈2.5σ). A freefit of the divisor gives 8.0 rather than the predicted 9, and the S8 weak-lensing cost makes the pre-registered overallverdict a tie. These are hints at the 2σ level, consistent with the ACT collaboration's finding of no significantpreference for early dark energy. Failures are reported beside passes. Files are available on request under theAEGIS People's License v1.2 (free for people; no AI use; no military use).