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Difficulty: Very hardStrengthen

Anthropologist: Chemical analysis of obsidian blades found at the ancient inland Xoloti settlement perfectly matches the isotopic signature of the coastal Yuma quarry, located 400 miles away across the barren Sunu Desert. Clearly, the Xoloti must have engaged in direct, long-distance trade expeditions with the coastal Yuma people to obtain this material, rather than acquiring it gradually through a chain of intermediate, shorter trade networks involving other settlements.

Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the anthropologist's argument? Select all that apply.

  1. Extensive archaeological excavations have found no Yuma obsidian artifacts at the sites of any known ancient settlements located between Xoloti and the coastal Yuma quarry.Answer
  2. Remains of marine fish, which would have spoiled within days of being caught, were frequently buried alongside the obsidian blades at the Xoloti settlement.Answer
  3. C
    The coastal Yuma quarry was the only known source of obsidian in the entire region that possessed the specific structural durability required by Xoloti artisans.
  4. D
    Substantial quantities of Yuma obsidian have been excavated at the ruins of several smaller communities situated halfway between the coast and the Xoloti settlement.
  5. E
    Historical records from a neighboring region describe nomadic groups that specialized in transporting heavy goods across arid environments similar to the Sunu Desert.

Answer

The correct options are the one noting the absence of obsidian at intermediate settlements and the one describing the presence of highly perishable marine fish at the inland site.
The argument concludes that the obsidian was acquired via direct long-distance expeditions rather than a gradual, intermediate trade network. To strengthen this, we must find evidence that either makes direct expeditions more plausible or makes intermediate trade networks less plausible. The option regarding the lack of artifacts at intermediate sites strengthens the argument by directly undermining the alternative explanation (down-the-line trade). The option regarding perishable marine fish strengthens the argument by showing that transit from the coast was extremely fast, which is consistent with direct expeditions and highly inconsistent with gradual, settlement-to-settlement trade.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the main conclusion and the premises.
Conclusion: Xoloti acquired obsidian via direct long-distance expeditions, not gradual intermediate networks. Premise: Inland obsidian perfectly matches a coastal quarry 400 miles away.
Understanding the core argument is necessary before evaluating its logical gaps.
2
Identify the core logical gap or vulnerability.
The anthropologist assumes that a 400-mile distance entails direct expeditions, but offers no proof that direct trade is more plausible than a chain of shorter, settlement-to-settlement trades.
Strengthening an argument typically involves bridging its primary logical gap or ruling out alternative explanations.
3
Evaluate options for their impact on the direct vs. intermediate trade hypotheses.
Options that rule out intermediate trade (lack of artifacts at intermediate sites) or require rapid transport (perishable marine fish) support the direct trade conclusion.
Evidence that undermines the alternative cause (gradual trade) directly strengthens the author's preferred cause (direct expeditions).

Key Concept

Strengthening an argument by ruling out alternative explanations and affirming the feasibility of the proposed explanation.
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