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Difficulty: HardCross-Text Connections: Perspective Comparison

Text 1
Traditional models of socio-cultural evolution assert that agricultural surpluses are a prerequisite for the organization of labor required to construct monumental architecture. However, archaeologist Dr. Aris Thorne argues that the temple complex at Göbekli Tepe, built by hunter-gatherers before the rise of farming, reverses this trajectory. Thorne proposes that the shared ritual activity of constructing massive stone pillars served as the primary catalyst for social cohesion, which subsequently drove the transition to agriculture to feed the congregating builders. Thus, monumental architecture was the cause, rather than the effect, of sedentism and agriculture.

Text 2
While acknowledging the impressive scale of Göbekli Tepe, sociologist Dr. Clara Vance contends that attributing its construction entirely to mobile hunter-gatherers overlooks the logistical realities of such an undertaking. Vance argues that a sustained workforce, even if motivated by shared ritual, requires a predictable food supply that transient hunting and gathering cannot reliably provide. She suggests that proto-agricultural practices—such as the intensive harvesting of wild grains, which did not yet constitute full-scale farming but created localized resource abundance—must have already been established in the region to support the builders during construction.

Based on the texts, how would Vance (Text 2) most likely characterize Thorne's claim in Text 1 regarding the relationship between the construction of Göbekli Tepe and the transition to agriculture?

  1. As overlooking the necessity of pre-existing, localized food-gathering strategies to sustain the labor force during the construction process.Answer
  2. B
    As a persuasive refutation of the traditional model of socio-cultural evolution.
  3. C
    As supported by archaeological evidence that wild grain harvesting began only after the stone pillars were erected.
  4. D
    As an accurate depiction of how shared religious devotion can entirely replace the need for a stable food supply.

Answer

The correct answer characterizes Thorne's claim as overlooking the necessity of pre-existing, localized food-gathering strategies to sustain the labor force during the construction process.
In Text 2, Vance argues that a sustained workforce for a monumental project like Göbekli Tepe requires a predictable food supply, which could not be provided by transient foraging. She suggests that proto-agricultural practices must have already been established to support the builders. Therefore, Vance would characterize Thorne's claim in Text 1 (that the construction process itself drove the transition to agriculture) as overlooking the necessity of pre-existing food-gathering strategies to sustain the labor force during construction.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify Thorne's argument in Text 1.
Thorne claims that constructing Göbekli Tepe's monumental pillars served as a catalyst for social cohesion that drove the transition to agriculture to feed the builders.
Understanding Thorne's premise is necessary to evaluate how Vance would respond to it.
2
Identify Vance's counter-argument in Text 2.
Vance argues that sustaining a construction workforce requires a predictable food supply, which must have been provided by pre-existing proto-agricultural practices like intensive wild grain harvesting.
This provides the basis for Vance's critique of Thorne's timeline.
3
Determine Vance's characterization of Thorne's claim.
Since Vance believes proto-agricultural practices were a prerequisite for construction, she would view Thorne's claim that construction caused agriculture as failing to account for the food supply needed during construction.
This aligns with the correct option showing that Thorne's model overlooks the necessity of pre-existing resource management.

Key Concept

Analyzing cross-text connections and identifying how one author would evaluate a claim made by another author.
Estimated Time:2m 0s
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Cross-Text Connections: Perspective Comparison

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