Tatiana Proskouriakoff, an illustrator-turned-archaeologist, revolutionized the field of Mayan decipherment in the mid-twentieth century. For decades, prevailing scholarly consensus held that Mayan hieroglyphs represented exclusively astronomical calculations and abstract religious concepts, completely detached from historical events. However, while analyzing carved stone monuments called stelae at the ancient city of Piedras Negras, Proskouriakoff identified recurring patterns of dates that corresponded to the average lifespans of human beings. She hypothesized that these monuments did not depict nameless gods, but rather documented the actual biographies of Mayan rulers.
The writer wants to conclude the passage by emphasizing how Proskouriakoff’s discovery permanently transformed the understanding of Mayan history. Which choice best accomplishes this goal?
- Ultimately, her realization changed Mayan history from a blank slate into a written narrative, bridging the gap between prehistoric myth and documented history.Answer
- BTherefore, her work proved that the glyphs were historical, it allowed researchers to reconstruct the dynasties of Mayan cities.
- CIn contrast, her breakthrough will inspire a new generation of epigraphers who cracked the phonetic code of the remaining glyphs.
- DIn addition to this epigraphic breakthrough, her detailed watercolor reconstructions of ancient temples provided architects with invaluable visual records of classic Mayan ruins.