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Difficulty: EasyCommand of Evidence: Textual

Historian Dr. Evelyn Vance and her team investigated trade patterns in ancient Roman Britain by examining the distribution of imported pottery (terra sigillata). Some scholars argue that rural settlements acquired these goods exclusively from larger urban markets. Vance, however, hypothesized that rural communities participated in direct trade with regional merchants, bypassing urban intermediaries entirely.

Which finding, if true, would most directly support Vance's hypothesis?

  1. Chemical analysis of terra sigillata found at rural sites reveals clay compositions identical to vessels imported from continental Europe, whereas contemporary urban sites in the same region contain none of these imports.Answer
  2. B
    Many urban markets in Roman Britain offered a wide variety of domestic pottery styles that were manufactured by local artisans.
  3. C
    Rural households likely preferred imported Roman pottery because it was more durable than locally produced clay vessels.
  4. D
    Excavations show that the overall quantity of pottery at urban sites was significantly larger than the quantity found at rural settlements.

Answer

Chemical analysis of terra sigillata found at rural sites reveals clay compositions identical to vessels imported from continental Europe, whereas contemporary urban sites in the same region contain none of these imports.
The correct answer provides direct evidence that rural communities bypassed urban intermediaries. If imported pottery is found at rural settlements but is entirely absent from nearby contemporary urban markets, it is logically impossible for rural communities to have acquired this pottery from those urban markets. Thus, they must have obtained it directly, supporting the researcher's hypothesis.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the researcher's hypothesis in the passage.
The hypothesis is that rural communities traded directly with regional merchants for imported pottery, bypassing urban markets as intermediaries.
To evaluate the options, we must know the exact claim that needs supporting evidence.
2
Evaluate which scenario would show that rural sites did not get their imports from urban markets.
If rural sites have imports that are completely absent from nearby urban sites, then the rural settlements could not have acquired them from those urban sites.
This establishes a direct trade route that does not depend on urban distribution.
3
Match this scenario with the correct choice.
The option stating that rural sites contain continental imports not found in contemporary urban sites of the same region matches this logic.
This is the only choice that directly supports the hypothesis of bypassing urban intermediaries.

Key Concept

Command of Evidence: Textual
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Command of Evidence: Textual

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