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Question

Difficulty: MediumExplicit Detail Retrieval

Passage:
In 1911, Hiram Bingham's excavation of Machu Picchu brought global attention to Inca architecture, though indigenous locals such as Melchor Arteaga had led him directly to the site. Scholars initially accepted Bingham's hypothesis that Machu Picchu was Vilcabamba, the last refuge of the Inca Empire during Spanish conquest. However, subsequent archival research by historian John Hemming in 1970 demonstrated that Vilcabamba was actually located at Espíritu Pampa, deeper in the Vilcabamba valley. Furthermore, radiocarbon dating of organic material conducted in 2021 by archaeologist Richard Burger revealed that Machu Picchu was constructed around 1420 CE under the reign of Emperor Pachacuti, several decades earlier than previously estimated based on colonial Spanish chronicles. Consequently, modern consensus views Machu Picchu not as a military stronghold or final sanctuary, but as an elite royal estate intended for seasonal retreat by Pachacuti and his court.

Based on the passage, which of the following statements regarding Machu Picchu or its historical investigation are explicitly supported? Select all that apply.

  1. Hiram Bingham was guided to the site of Machu Picchu by a local indigenous person.Answer
  2. B
    Colonial Spanish chronicles provided an accurate chronology for the construction of Machu Picchu.
  3. Historical research in 1970 identified Espíritu Pampa as the actual location of Vilcabamba.Answer

Answer

The correct statements are that Hiram Bingham was guided to the site by a local indigenous person and that historical research in 1970 identified Espíritu Pampa as the actual location of Vilcabamba.
The statements regarding Bingham being guided by a local indigenous person and the 1970 research placing Vilcabamba at Espíritu Pampa are directly supported by explicit details in the text ('indigenous locals such as Melchor Arteaga had led him directly to the site' and 'archival research by historian John Hemming in 1970 demonstrated that Vilcabamba was actually located at Espíritu Pampa').

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Scan the passage for references to Hiram Bingham's arrival at Machu Picchu.
Found text: 'indigenous locals such as Melchor Arteaga had led him directly to the site.' This confirms the statement that Bingham was guided to the site by a local indigenous person.
Explicit detail retrieval requires matching the precise factual claim made in the text.
2
Locate references to colonial Spanish chronicles and construction dates.
Found text: radiocarbon dating showed construction occurred 'several decades earlier than previously estimated based on colonial Spanish chronicles.' This contradicts the claim that the chronicles were accurate.
Detail retrieval requires verifying whether modifiers and evaluative terms like 'accurate' align with passage facts.
3
Scan for mentions of the 1970 research and Vilcabamba's location.
Found text: 'archival research by historian John Hemming in 1970 demonstrated that Vilcabamba was actually located at Espíritu Pampa.' This directly supports the statement.
Verifying explicit attribution of the 1970 research confirms the accuracy of the statement.

Key Concept

Explicit Detail Retrieval
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Explicit Detail Retrieval

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