Bunuel
Archaeologists excavating an early agrarian settlement discovered a concentrated deposit of charred animal bones at the center of the site. The bones represent several different species and show varying degrees of burning. The deposit may be the remnants of communal food preparation - animals slaughtered and cooked during large gatherings of the settlement's inhabitants. Alternatively, the deposit may represent the remains of ritual animal sacrifices, in which animals were burned whole as offerings during religious ceremonies.
In order to help decide between the two hypotheses about the origin of the bone deposit, which of the following would it be most useful to know?
(A) Whether similar deposits of charred animal bones have been found at other settlements in the same region
(B) Whether the bones belong to animal species that were commonly hunted for food in the surrounding region
(C) Whether the bones display cut marks of the kind produced when animals are butchered for the removal of meat
(D) Whether the deposit contains bones from animals of various ages or predominantly from animals in their prime
(E) Whether written or artistic records from contemporary cultures depict animals being used in religious ceremonies
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We need to evaluate whether the animal bone deposits were remains of 1) RItual sacrifices or 2) Slaughtered & cooked food
A) Similar deposits found at other settlements in the same region - Presence in other settlements doesn't provide clarity on what the animals were used for. Wrong.
B) Belonging to commonly hunted animal species in surrounding regions - Trap choice as there is a possibility that these very hunted animals could be used in sacrifices. Wrong.
C) Bones display cut marks, similar to when animals are butchered for meat - Provides clear evidence concerning the use of these animals that is for food. Hold.
D) Bones of animals in their prime - Age of animals doesn't indicate if they were killed for food or for rituals. Wrong.
E) Contemporary culture records - No relevance to the bone deposits. Wrong.
Therefore,
ANSWER IS C