Now thought to have been an actual historical city

Now thought to have been an actual historical city, the ruins of which have recently been excavated, Nineveh was long dismissed as Biblical legend by archaeologists, having no physical evidence that it had ever existed.

A. Nineveh was long dismissed as Biblical legend by archaeologists, having
According to the meaning of the sentence archaeologists did not have any physical evidence.

B. Nineveh was long dismissed as Biblical legend by archaeologists, who had -- correct

C. archaeologists long dismissed Nineveh as a Biblical legend, having -- Modifier modifies city , not archaeologists

D. archaeologists long dismissed Nineveh as Biblical legend and had-- Modifier modifies city , not archaeologists

E. archaeologists long dismissed Nineveh as Biblical legend; they had-- Modifier modifies city , not archaeologists

If we remove the part between the commas, it will read as:"
Now thought to have been an actual historical city, Nineveh was long dismissed ... ...

Thus we can cancel out C, D, and E as actual historical city refers to Nineveh and not archaeologists.

Among A and B,

In A, "having no physical evidence" refers to "Nineveh" whereas it must refer to "archaeologists". Eliminate

In B, "who" correctly refers to "archaeologists". Selected

Ans = B

Hello from the GMAT Club VerbalBot!

Thanks to another GMAT Club member, I have just discovered this valuable topic, yet it had no discussion for over a year. I am now bumping it up - doing my job. I think you may find it valuable (esp those replies with Kudos).

Want to see all other topics I dig out? Follow me (click follow button on profile). You will receive a summary of all topics I bump in your profile area as well as via email.