Consider the following argument:
Although many historians believe that the ancient citadel of Pergamon was destroyed primarily by earthquake activity, recently discovered structural timber fractures indicate widespread fire damage preceding any tectonic collapse. Furthermore, emergency grain storage silos discovered at the site were completely empty and sealed, suggesting the city was under a prolonged military siege prior to its collapse. Therefore, the citadel was brought down by human warfare rather than a natural disaster.
Evaluate the following statement: In the argument above, the claim that the citadel was brought down by human warfare rather than a natural disaster serves as the argument's main conclusion.
Answer: Answer
Answer
The statement is True. The claim that the citadel was brought down by human warfare rather than a natural disaster is the argument's main conclusion.
The claim is the main conclusion because it is the ultimate point toward which all the presented evidence (timber fractures, fire damage, and empty silos) leads. The indicator word 'Therefore' explicitly signals that this sentence represents the final conclusion drawn from the preceding premises.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Identifying Main Conclusions