For centuries, historians assumed that the elaborate agricultural terraces of the pre-Inca Wari Empire were constructed primarily to maximize arable land in the steep Andean terrain. However, archaeologist Ann Peters has recently challenged this view, arguing that the terraces' main function was microclimate regulation to prevent crop frost. Peters analyzed soil temperature differentials across reconstructed terracing systems, demonstrating that the stone retaining walls retained daytime heat and gradually released it during freezing nights. While some scholars remain skeptical of Peters's singular focus, her research has shifted the academic conversation toward viewing terracing as a sophisticated form of thermal engineering rather than a simple response to spatial limitations.
Which choice best describes the overall structure of the text?
- It outlines a long-held explanation for a historical practice, presents an alternative hypothesis regarding that practice's function, details the research supporting this new view, and assesses the impact of this research on the academic community.Answer
- BIt introduces a controversy regarding an ancient empire's agricultural expansion, evaluates two competing methods for reconstructing historical terraces, and advocates for a synthesis of both techniques.
- CIt describes the physical properties of stone retaining walls, details how these walls absorb and release heat, and concludes that thermal regulation is the primary driver of agricultural productivity in high-altitude environments.
- DIt defends a traditional archaeological theory against recent criticism, highlights the flaws in a study about soil temperature differentials, and calls for more rigorous data collection.