Anthropologist: Kaelen's ancient society was highly unusual in that its wealthiest elite resided in a vulnerable low-lying river basin rather than on high ground. This is evident from recent architectural surveys of the ruins, which demonstrate that the most elaborately ornamented residential dwellings are concentrated in the basin. Conversely, the plain, strictly utilitarian structures are located exclusively on the elevated rocky plateaus overlooking the river, despite the fact that throughout antiquity, the social elite almost universally occupied elevated terrain to project dominance and ensure defensive superiority.
Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the anthropologist's argument?
- AThe primary source of wealth in Kaelen was the cultivation of rare aquatic plants that could only be grown and processed in the water-rich environment of the low-lying basin.
- The low-lying basin experienced severe annual flooding that routinely destroyed buildings, forcing its impoverished residents to use easily carved but temporary wood, while the elite could afford the immense labor required to cut the permanent, unadorned basalt used for the plateau homes.Answer
- CModern chemical analysis has revealed that the structures on the elevated plateaus were originally covered in brightly colored pigments that completely washed away over the millennia.
- DIn neighboring ancient societies, families who accumulated significant wealth while living in low-lying river basins invariably relocated to elevated terrain as soon as they could afford to do so.
- EThe defensive superiority of the elevated plateaus was primarily utilized during times of foreign invasion, which historical records indicate occurred very rarely throughout Kaelen's history.
Answer
The option stating that impoverished basin residents used easily carved temporary wood while the elite afforded permanent, unadorned basalt on the plateaus is correct.
The correct answer destroys the author's core assumption that 'elaborately ornamented' equals 'wealthy.' By explaining that the basin residents used easily carved wood out of impoverished necessity, and that the plateau residents used expensive, hard-to-carve basalt, it provides a superior alternative explanation for the architectural differences. This strongly suggests the wealthy actually lived on the plateaus, entirely dismantling the anthropologist's conclusion.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Identifying and attacking the unstated assumption linking evidence to the conclusion (Alternate Cause/Explanation).
Estimated Time:2m 0s