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Difficulty: MediumDetermining Author's Primary Purpose

For decades, the prevailing academic consensus, spearheaded by archaeologist J. Eric S. Thompson, held that Maya hieroglyphs were purely ideographic symbols representing abstract calendrical computations and mystical astronomical concepts. According to this view, the ancient Maya were a peaceful, priestly society ruled by star-gazing elites who were largely unconcerned with the mundane details of historical events or political dynasties.

However, in 19601960, Tatiana Proskouriakoff published a seminal study of the stelae at the site of Piedras Negras that shattered this interpretation. By analyzing the structural patterns of the glyphs alongside the dates inscribed on the monuments, Proskouriakoff noticed a repeating pattern of dates that corresponded to the span of an average human lifetime. She reasoned that these monuments did not record abstract cosmic cycles, but rather the historical records of real individuals: their births, accessions to power, and military victories.

Proskouriakoff's breakthrough shifted the paradigm of Mesoamerican archaeology. The glyphs were recognized as a historical writing system, revealing a complex political landscape of warring city-states and dynamic rulers. Her methodical, pattern-based analysis proved that the Maya recorded their own history, laying the groundwork for the complete decipherment of their written language.

Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of the passage?

  1. To detail the shift in scholarly understanding of Maya hieroglyphs brought about by Tatiana Proskouriakoff's researchAnswer
  2. B
    To explain how Piedras Negras became a critical archaeological site for understanding Maya city-states
  3. C
    To demonstrate that ancient writing systems are primarily used to document dynastic politics rather than astronomy
  4. D
    To assert that J. Eric S. Thompson's theories of Maya culture were intentionally misleading to academic peers

Answer

The primary purpose of the passage is to detail the shift in scholarly understanding of Maya hieroglyphs brought about by Tatiana Proskouriakoff's research.
The passage describes how the academic view of Maya hieroglyphs shifted from viewing them as purely astronomical and mystical symbols to realizing they recorded actual history, thanks to Tatiana Proskouriakoff's work. The correct answer accurately summarizes this shift.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the passage's structure and major focus.
The passage introduces a historical consensus (Thompson's view), describes Proskouriakoff's key discovery that challenged it, and explains the impact of her discovery on Maya studies.
The primary purpose of a passage describes the author's main goal in writing it, which is reflected in its overall structure and main transition points.
2
Evaluate the options against the passage's main focus.
The option highlighting the change in academic understanding of Maya glyphs due to Proskouriakoff's research aligns directly with the passage's focus. Other options focus on minor details, make overly broad claims, or mischaracterize details.
Selecting the correct answer requires distinguishing the primary purpose from supporting details, overly general statements, and inaccurate assertions.

Key Concept

Determining Author's Primary Purpose
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Determining Author's Primary Purpose

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