The start year is indeed set in the python, though I don't know why. No matter what the start year is, no change.
I have no idea if this is related, but when I exit the game (to main menu or desktop) I get a CTD and windows says the memory could not be "read". Also, I don't get messages that units were damaged in hostile terrain.
EDIT: I tried changing "BUILDINGCLASS_CAPITOL" to "BUILDINGCLASS_PALACE" in the CvSolarSystem file and it fixed the problem but the civs all had the great wall texture around their culture and the city screen was gone. I tried modifying the python further to fix this and the problem returned. I have not been able to fix it since. Changing the XML did not help.
EDIT: After another, more careful/complete cleanup of the file, the problem is solved.