The earliest archaeological evidence of the Minoan civilization in

Question

The earliest archaeological evidence of the Minoan civilization in Crete are elaborate metalworks dated to the early Bronze Age. However, archaeologists recently uncovered ceramic urns predating the Bronze Age at Crete. These urns closely resemble Minoan pottery of the late Bronze Age, also found at Crete. Further, the patterns painted on these urns are highly distinct from those found on ceramic urns produced by other Bronze Age civilizations known to trade with Crete before the Bronze Age. Therefore, Minoans surely lived in Crete before the Bronze Age.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument?

A. The Minoans are not known to have used metal to make urns.
B. Successor cultures often adopt the art styles of cultures that inhabited the same site earlier.
C. There is archaeological evidence to suggest that some of the oldest ceramic urns found at Crete were reserved for use by elite families. 
D. Minoan caves painted in the early Bronze Age contains scenes in which Minoans using metalworks are pictured.
E. The patterns used to decorate everyday objects were of great cultural importance to the Minoans who lived in Crete in the early Bronze Age.

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AdarshSambare · Answer

Conclusion:
Minoans lived in Crete before the Bronze Age.
Evidence:
1. Pre–Bronze Age urns were found in Crete.
2. These urns resemble later Minoan pottery.
3. Their patterns differ from those of other trading civilizations.
 Prethinking: 
To weaken, show that resemblance to later Minoan pottery does not prove the Minoans made the earlier urns. Maybe later Minoans copied an earlier culture’s style.
A. Whether Minoans used metal urns is irrelevant.
B. If successor cultures often adopt earlier cultures’ art styles, then later Minoan pottery could have copied the pre–Bronze Age urn designs. That breaks the argument’s key assumption.
C. Elite-family use is irrelevant.
D. Supports existence of Minoans in early Bronze Age, not before it.
E. Cultural importance of patterns slightly supports continuity.
 Answer: B

vasu1104 · Answer

earliest archeological evidence- elaborate metalworks dated to early bronze age. 
 archeologist found ceramic urns predating bronze age. 
 these urns closely represents pottery of late bronze age. 
 pattern on urns are different from those found on ceramics produced by other people. 
 conclusion- minoans surely lived in crete before bronze age.

A. The Minoans are not known to have used metal to make urns. 
 not relevant here.

B. Successor cultures often adopt the art styles of cultures that inhabited the same site earlier. 
 okay if thats the case then it breaks the conclusion. then minoans dont have to live in pre bronze era. they can just carry forward their predecessors work and continue doing it. this does enough 
 
C. There is archaeological evidence to suggest that some of the oldest ceramic urns found at Crete were reserved for use by elite families. 
 this talks about elite families in specific and our conclusion is for general minoans. so not much attack from this choice. 
 
D. Minoan caves painted in the early Bronze Age contains scenes in which Minoans using metalworks are pictured. 
 passage somewhat says this in the first line of passsge. reject.

E. The patterns used to decorate everyday objects were of great cultural importance to the Minoans who lived in Crete in the early Bronze Age. 
 irrelevant to topic we are disussing, reject.

BongBideshini · Answer

We need a weakening answer that gives an alternative explanation for the similarity.

A. The Minoans are not known to have used metal to make urns. 
Wrong. The argument discusses ceramic urns, so whether Minoans made metal urns is irrelevant.

B. Successor cultures often adopt the art styles of cultures that inhabited the same site earlier. 
 Correct.  This provides an alternative explanation: later Minoans may have copied the style of an earlier culture, so similarity does not prove Minoans lived there before the Bronze Age.

C. There is archaeological evidence to suggest that some of the oldest ceramic urns found at Crete were reserved for use by elite families. 
Wrong. Who used the urns does not affect whether the urns were made by Minoans.

D. Minoan caves painted in the early Bronze Age contain scenes in which Minoans using metalworks are pictured. 
Wrong. This supports the existence of Minoans during the early Bronze Age, not before it.

E. The patterns used to decorate everyday objects were of great cultural importance to the Minoans who lived in Crete in the early Bronze Age. 
Wrong. This strengthens the idea that the patterns are distinctly Minoan, which supports the conclusion rather than weakens it.

Ans B

The earliest archaeological evidence of the Minoan civilization in

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The earliest archaeological evidence of the Minoan civilization in

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615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

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