Passage A
Recent excavations at the site of a 14th-century merchant vessel have revealed preserved casks of resinous pitch. Historical documents from the period suggest pitch was used primarily as a sealant for hull planking to prevent leakage during ocean voyages. Chemical analysis of the hull timber seams confirms that the pitch applied matched the composition of the recovered casks, demonstrating its role as a practical waterproofing agent in medieval shipbuilding.
Passage B
While early maritime studies treated preserved pitch on medieval ships solely as a waterproofing compound, recent residue analysis points to a complementary function. Spectral scans of the pitch from 14th-century wrecks reveal high concentrations of embedded pine resins rich in antimicrobial terpene compounds. This suggests shipbuilders intentionally selected specific pitch formulations to slow fungal decay in timber framing, extending the structural lifespan of vessels in humid marine microclimates.
Which of the following best describes the relationship between the primary functions attributed to pitch in Passage A and Passage B?
- Passage B expands upon the functional scope of pitch presented in Passage A by identifying a biological preservative role alongside its physical waterproofing purpose.Answer
- BPassage B refutes the empirical evidence in Passage A by proving pitch was ineffective as a waterproofing sealant.
- CPassage B provides historical documentation that contradicts the modern chemical analysis outlined in Passage A.
- DPassage B shifts the primary focus of 14th-century maritime studies from ship construction techniques to commercial trade routes.