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Difficulty: MediumCentral Ideas

Archaeologists studying ancient textiles often struggle to recover organic fibers, which decay rapidly in typical soil conditions. However, when silk is buried in close proximity to bronze or copper artifacts, a process known as mineralization can occur. Soluble metal ions from the corroding artifacts gradually infiltrate the organic fibers, replacing the protein structure with durable metal salts while preserving the textile's fine microstructural details. Consequently, these metallic pseudomorphs allow researchers to study weave patterns and textile technologies from eras whose organic remains have otherwise completely vanished.

Which choice best states the main idea of the text?

  1. A
    Organic fibers typically decay rapidly in soil, making them difficult for archaeologists to recover.
  2. The chemical interaction between organic fibers and corroding metal artifacts can preserve the structural details of ancient textiles that would otherwise decay.Answer
  3. C
    Soluble metal ions protect bronze and copper artifacts from corroding when they are wrapped in silk textiles.
  4. D
    Chemical reactions between organic materials and metal objects are the primary means of reconstructing ancient technological history.

Answer

The correct answer is that the chemical interaction between organic fibers and corroding metal artifacts can preserve the structural details of ancient textiles that would otherwise decay.
The correct option accurately states that the chemical interaction between organic fibers and corroding metal artifacts (mineralization) preserves the structural details of textiles that would otherwise decay. The passage explains that while organic fibers decay quickly, metal ions replacing their structure preserves details of the weave patterns.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the primary topic of the passage.
The text focuses on how mineralization preserves silk fibers when they are buried near corroding bronze or copper artifacts.
Understanding the core topic helps distinguish the main idea from supporting details or unrelated concepts.
2
Evaluate the options to find the one that summarizes the entire passage without overgeneralizing or misrepresenting facts.
The statement regarding the chemical interaction preserving structural details of textiles that normally decay captures the full scope of the text.
The main idea must represent the author's primary claim, which addresses both the problem (decay of organic fibers) and the solution (mineralization via metal artifacts).

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