Passage A
For over a century, epigraphers studying damaged ancient stone inscriptions relied primarily on squeezes—paper-mâché impressions pressed into carved surfaces—and manual transcription. While these traditional techniques preserved physical dimensions, they often failed to capture subtle incision depths worn down by centuries of weathering. Scholars frequently engaged in subjective debates over ambiguous letterforms, as static line drawings could not account for variations in lighting or erosion patterns. Consequently, epigraphic interpretation remained bound to the physical accessibility of the artifact and the individual researcher's visual acuity.
Passage B
Recent advances in Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI) and neural network analysis have fundamentally altered how historians analyze degraded inscriptions. By synthesizing multiple digital photographs taken from varying light angles, RTI creates interactive surface models that allow researchers to dynamically manipulate illumination and exaggerate micro-topographical details. Rather than replacing traditional epigraphers, these digital tools supplement manual analysis by isolating consistent geometric traces of carved strokes that the human eye might overlook under ambient light. As a result, readings once deemed speculative can now be evaluated against quantitative surface data.
Which of the following best describes the relationship between the primary function of Passage A and the primary function of Passage B?
- Passage A describes the practical constraints of long-standing epigraphic methods, while Passage B explains how modern digital techniques help mitigate those specific limitations.Cevap
- BPassage A argues against the preservation of physical inscriptions, while Passage B presents evidence that digital conservation renders physical artifacts obsolete.
- CPassage A provides step-by-step instructions for creating paper-mâché impressions, while Passage B refutes the scientific accuracy of neural network analysis.
- DPassage A introduces a theoretical hypothesis about ancient letterforms, while Passage B presents experimental evidence that disproves that hypothesis.