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Difficulty: HardSelect-in-Passage Question Analysis

Read the passage below and answer the question:

For decades, archaeologists interpreted the presence of red ochre pigments at Middle Paleolithic sites merely as decorative artifacts, reflecting symbolic behavior rather than functional utility. However, recent micro-wear analysis of iron oxide residues on lithic scrapers suggests that Neanderthals predominantly employed ochre as a binding agent in compound adhesives for hafting stone tools onto wooden shafts. By combining ground ochre with tree resin and beeswax, these early hominins produced a composite material capable of withstanding the substantial shear stresses associated with thrusting spears. While some scholars persist in viewing ochre collection primarily as evidence of aesthetic expression, the physical necessity of inorganic fillers to reduce adhesive brittleness demonstrates an advanced empirical understanding of material dynamics. Consequently, attributing Middle Paleolithic ochre processing exclusively to symbolic ornamentation underestimates the sophisticated technological pragmatism of Neanderthal foraging groups.

Which sentence in the passage presents empirical evidence that directly challenges the traditional view regarding the primary function of Middle Paleolithic red ochre?

  1. A
    For decades, archaeologists interpreted the presence of red ochre pigments at Middle Paleolithic sites merely as decorative artifacts, reflecting symbolic behavior rather than functional utility.
  2. However, recent micro-wear analysis of iron oxide residues on lithic scrapers suggests that Neanderthals predominantly employed ochre as a binding agent in compound adhesives for hafting stone tools onto wooden shafts.Answer
  3. C
    By combining ground ochre with tree resin and beeswax, these early hominins produced a composite material capable of withstanding the substantial shear stresses associated with thrusting spears.
  4. D
    While some scholars persist in viewing ochre collection primarily as evidence of aesthetic expression, the physical necessity of inorganic fillers to reduce adhesive brittleness demonstrates an advanced empirical understanding of material dynamics.
  5. E
    Consequently, attributing Middle Paleolithic ochre processing exclusively to symbolic ornamentation underestimates the sophisticated technological pragmatism of Neanderthal foraging groups.

Answer

The sentence stating that recent micro-wear analysis of iron oxide residues suggests Neanderthals used ochre as a binding agent in compound adhesives for hafting tools.
The sentence introducing recent micro-wear analysis of iron oxide residues provides concrete scientific data showing ochre's functional role in tool hafting, which directly overturns the prior assumption of ochre being exclusively decorative.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the target requirement in the prompt
The target sentence must present 'empirical evidence' that 'directly challenges the traditional view'.
Select-in-passage analysis requires isolating the exact sentence performing the requested rhetorical function.
2
Locate the traditional view in the passage
The first sentence identifies the traditional view: ochre was interpreted merely as decorative/symbolic.
Understanding the baseline assumption is necessary to identify what evidence contradicts it.
3
Find the sentence presenting new empirical evidence challenging that view
The second sentence introduces recent micro-wear analysis of residues showing functional use as a hafting adhesive.
Micro-wear analysis constitutes empirical laboratory evidence, and its finding (adhesive use) directly refutes the purely decorative hypothesis.

Key Concept

Identifying Sentence Rhetorical Function and Empirical Evidence
Estimated Time:2m 0s
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Topics

Select-in-Passage Question Analysis

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