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Difficulty: MediumCommand of Evidence: Textual

Archaeologist Dr. Sofia Al-Jamil and her team investigated the dietary habits of the ancient Maya during the Terminal Classic period (c. 800–900 CE) at the site of Ucanal. Al-Jamil hypothesized that during periods of prolonged drought, the population shifted their primary crop consumption from maize (*Zea mays*), which is highly drought-sensitive, to more drought-resistant wild tubers and root crops. Which choice, if true, would most directly support the team's hypothesis?

  1. Analysis of organic residues on cooking vessels from Ucanal dating to the Terminal Classic period revealed a significantly higher ratio of wild tuber starch grains to maize starch grains compared to vessels from the pre-drought Late Classic period.Answer
  2. B
    Soil core samples from agricultural fields at Ucanal showed a dramatic decline in moisture levels and nutrient density during the Terminal Classic period.
  3. C
    Pollen records from lake sediments near Ucanal indicated that maize cultivation continued to occupy the majority of cleared agricultural land throughout the Terminal Classic period.
  4. D
    Texts from subsequent centuries mention that wild root crops were occasionally gathered by neighboring populations during seasonal dry periods.

Answer

The finding that organic residues on cooking vessels from the Terminal Classic period contained a higher ratio of wild tuber starch grains to maize starch grains than vessels from the Late Classic period.
The correct answer provides direct physical evidence of the hypothesized shift in consumption. By showing that cooking vessels from the drought-affected Terminal Classic period contained a significantly higher ratio of wild tuber starch residues to maize starch residues than did vessels from the preceding Late Classic period, it directly supports the claim that the population changed their primary food source in response to environmental stress.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the researchers' core hypothesis.
The hypothesis is that the ancient Maya population at Ucanal responded to droughts by shifting their primary crop consumption from maize to wild tubers.
Understanding the precise claim is necessary to determine what evidence would support it.
2
Determine the type of evidence needed to support this claim.
The evidence must show an actual change in consumption patterns—specifically, an increase in tuber consumption relative to maize during the drought period (Terminal Classic) compared to the preceding period.
This establishes a direct link between the environmental pressure and the dietary shift.
3
Evaluate the choices to find the one that provides this direct evidence.
The option showing a higher ratio of wild tuber residues to maize residues on cooking vessels from the drought period compared to the pre-drought period directly validates this dietary shift.
Organic residues on cooking vessels serve as direct physical evidence of what foods were being prepared and consumed.

Key Concept

Command of Evidence: Textual
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Command of Evidence: Textual

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