For decades, historical linguists hypothesized that the spread of the Indo-European language family was driven primarily by the migration of pastoralists from the Pontic-Caspian steppe, a view supported by archaeological evidence of horse domestication. However, an alternative model proposes that the language family expanded much earlier alongside the spread of agriculture from Anatolia. Recently, researchers have sought to resolve this debate by using phylogeographic tools to analyze genomic data from ancient human remains. Their findings suggest a hybrid model, wherein the language family originated in the Caucasus and split into two distinct branches that expanded via separate routes.
Which choice best describes the overall structure of the text?
- AIt describes a widely accepted scientific theory, details a primary objection to that theory, and then argues that a third theory should replace it entirely.
- BIt asserts that pastoralist migrations are the primary cause of language expansion, supports this claim with archaeological evidence, and refutes an opposing model based on agricultural development.
- It introduces two competing explanations for a historical development, notes a recent scientific effort to address the disagreement, and summarizes a finding that offers a new synthesis of the two views.Answer
- DIt reviews a classic linguistic debate, outlines the specific genetic techniques used to analyze ancient human remains, and highlights the limitations of these computational methods.