TF阅读真题第962篇Archaeological Evidence for Social Complexity

Archaeological Evidence for Social Complexity

 

题目：

 

 

Ancient human groups that used advanced technology and divided labor into highly specialized roles are considered complex societies. How do archaeologists recognize social complexity when they see it? Important clues are certain kinds of remains that begin to appear in the archaeological record after about 5,000 years ago. Among the most widespread indicators of social complexity are the remains of monumental architecture. Modern monumental architecture includes such structures as the Petronas towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Ancient monumental architecture included public buildings, private residences, tombs, settlement walls, irrigation canals, and so on. Together with monumental architecture, however, archaeologists usually find evidence of technologically simpler constructions. Assemblages (collections of remains and artifacts found at an archaeological site) that demonstrate such architectural variability contrast with those from earlier periods, when dwellings were simpler and more uniform and monumental structures were absent.

Everywhere it is found, the earliest monumental architecture consists of raised platforms, temples pyramids, or pyramid-like structures. Different building techniques were used to construct these monuments in different areas, and the structures did not all serve the same purpose. Therefore, archaeologists have long rejected the notion that all pyramid-building societies derived from ancient Egypt. Rather, the cross-cultural similarities of these structures appear to have a more practical explanation. None of the architects in the earliest complex societies knew how to build an arch or barrel vault. Moreover, in places like the Maya lowlands in modern Central America, builders had to work without metal, wheeled carts, or devices for lifting, such as winches and hoists. Under these circumstances, the only tall structures they could have built were such basic geometric forms as squares, rectangles, and pyramids.

Among the monumental structures built in the earliest complex societies were tombs. Differences in the size and construction of burials parallel differences in the size and construction of residences, and both suggest the emergence of a stratified society (one marked by class differences). Graves that are larger and built of more costly materials often contain a variety of objects, called grave goods, that were buried with the body. Smaller, modest graves occurring in the same assemblage and containing few or no grave goods provide evidence for social stratification. The number and quality of grave goods found with a body give clues as to just how highly stratified a society was. Many of the grave goods recovered from rich tombs are masterpieces of ceramics, metallurgy, weaving, and other crafts, indicating that the society had achieved a high degree of technological skill and, thus, a complex division of labor.

Archaeologist Michael Hoffman proposed that the key to understanding the first complex societies lies in their social organization. For the first time in human history, societies had been formed in which tremendous power was concentrated in the hands of a tiny elite-who undoubtedly found their privileges challenged by their new subjects. Under such circumstances, the production of monumental architecture and quantities of luxury goods served as evidence of the elite’s fitness to rule.

Complex societies ordinarily consisted of multiple settlements organized in a hierarchy (ordered from high status to low status). Consequently, archaeologists survey the region to determine how any given site compares to other simultaneously occupied settlements in the same area. The most common and helpful surface artifacts recovered during such surveys are often pieces of broken pots called sherds. Different kinds of sherds found on a site’s surface provide a rough inventory of the different cultural traditions followed by inhabitants over time. When the survey is completed, archaeologists tabulate and map the percentages of different kinds of sherds. A series of maps showing the distribution of each particular kind of pottery illustrates the degree to which settlement size and population changed over time. When researchers are able to accurately associate the different kinds of pottery with the stratigraphy (order and relative position of soil layers) of well-excavated sites in the region, they can devise a portrait of settlement patterns over time. Systematic survey and mapping work in southern Iraq permitted Robert Adams and Hans Nissen to show how the small, scattered settlements that prevailed in the countryside of ancient Mesopotamia around 8,000 years ago were gradually abandoned over the centuries, such that by about 5,200 years ago virtually everyone was living in a handful of large settlements, which Adams and Nissen call “cities.”

 

 

 

 

1

Ancient human groups that used advanced technology and divided labor into highly specialized roles are considered complex societies. How do archaeologists recognize social complexity when they see it? Important clues are certain kinds of remains that begin to appear in the archaeological record after about 5,000 years ago. Among the most widespread indicators of social complexity are the remains of monumental architecture. Modern monumental architecture includes such structures as the Petronas towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Ancient monumental architecture included public buildings, private residences, tombs, settlement walls, irrigation canals, and so on. Together with monumental architecture, however, archaeologists usually find evidence of technologically simpler constructions. Assemblages (collections of remains and artifacts found at an archaeological site) that demonstrate such architectural variability contrast with those from earlier periods, when dwellings were simpler and more uniform and monumental structures were absent.

In saying that in earlier periods dwellings were more “uniform,”the author means they were more

 

Vocabulary Questions词汇题

 

Asimilar to one another

Beasily built

Cplain

Dpractical

2

Ancient human groups that used advanced technology and divided labor into highly specialized roles are considered complex societies. How do archaeologists recognize social complexity when they see it? Important clues are certain kinds of remains that begin to appear in the archaeological record after about 5,000 years ago. Among the most widespread indicators of social complexity are the remains of monumental architecture. Modern monumental architecture includes such structures as the Petronas towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Ancient monumental architecture included public buildings, private residences, tombs, settlement walls, irrigation canals, and so on. Together with monumental architecture, however, archaeologists usually find evidence of technologically simpler constructions. Assemblages (collections of remains and artifacts found at an archaeological site) that demonstrate such architectural variability contrast with those from earlier periods, when dwellings were simpler and more uniform and monumental structures were absent.

According to paragraph 1,all of the following are true of ancient monumental architecture EXCEPT:

 

Negative Factual Information Questions否定事实信息题

 

AIt was generally made by societies with simple social structures and basic technology.

BIt first appears in the archaeological record after around 5,000 years ago.

CIts presence is an important indication of social complexity.

DExamples are usually found together with evidence of simpler structures.

3

Everywhere it is found, the earliest monumental architecture consists of raised platforms, temples pyramids, or pyramid-like structures. Different building techniques were used to construct these monuments in different areas, and the structures did not all serve the same purpose. Therefore, archaeologists have long rejected the notion that all pyramid-building societies derived from ancient Egypt. Rather, the cross-cultural similarities of these structures appear to have a more practical explanation. None of the architects in the earliest complex societies knew how to build an arch or barrel vault. Moreover, in places like the Maya lowlands in modern Central America, builders had to work without metal, wheeled carts, or devices for lifting, such as winches and hoists. Under these circumstances, the only tall structures they could have built were such basic geometric forms as squares, rectangles, and pyramids.

According to paragraph 2,why do archaeologists now reject the claim that all pyramid-building societies share a common origin?

 

Factual Information Questions事实信息题

 

AWherever they are found, pyramid-building societies show evidence of local origins.

BSome pyramid-building societies were more complex than others.

CPyramid-building societies did not all construct and use monumental structures in the same way.

DSome pyramid-building societies also constructed square and rectangular buildings, while others did not.

4

Everywhere it is found, the earliest monumental architecture consists of raised platforms, temples pyramids, or pyramid-like structures. Different building techniques were used to construct these monuments in different areas, and the structures did not all serve the same purpose. Therefore, archaeologists have long rejected the notion that all pyramid-building societies derived from ancient Egypt. Rather, the cross-cultural similarities of these structures appear to have a more practical explanation. None of the architects in the earliest complex societies knew how to build an arch or barrel vault. Moreover, in places like the Maya lowlands in modern Central America, builders had to work without metal, wheeled carts, or devices for lifting, such as winches and hoists. Under these circumstances, the only tall structures they could have built were such basic geometric forms as squares, rectangles, and pyramids.

In paragraph 2,why does the author provide the information that early architects in complex societies did not know how to build arches and barrel vaults?

 

Factual Information Questions事实信息题

 

ATo provide one reason that early architects used different building techniques in different areas

BTo support the argument that some pyramid- building societies were influenced by ancient Egypt

CTo reject the idea that early architects could have built taller structures

DTo help explain why early architects were limited to using basic geometric forms

5

Among the monumental structures built in the earliest complex societies were tombs. Differences in the size and construction of burials parallel differences in the size and construction of residences, and both suggest the emergence of a stratified society (one marked by class differences). Graves that are larger and built of more costly materials often contain a variety of objects, called grave goods, that were buried with the body. Smaller, modest graves occurring in the same assemblage and containing few or no grave goods provide evidence for social stratification. The number and quality of grave goods found with a body give clues as to just how highly stratified a society was. Many of the grave goods recovered from rich tombs are masterpieces of ceramics, metallurgy, weaving, and other crafts, indicating that the society had achieved a high degree of technological skill and, thus, a complex division of labor.

Paragraph 3 suggests that which of the following burial practices characterized early complex societies?

 

Inference Questions推理题

 

APeople of high social status tended to have large tombs.

BPeople with modest social status were buried far away from high-status people.

CLarge tombs usually held several bodies,while small tombs were used for single individuals. Craftspeople were buried

Dwith the greatest variety of ceramics and other grave goods.

6

Archaeologist Michael Hoffman proposed that the key to understanding the first complex societies lies in their social organization. For the first time in human history, societies had been formed in which tremendous power was concentrated in the hands of a tiny elite-who undoubtedly found their privileges challenged by their new subjects. Under such circumstances, the production of monumental architecture and quantities of luxury goods served as evidence of the elite’s fitness to rule.

According to Michael Hoffman in paragraph 4,creating monumental public works and obtaining luxury goods helped the rulers within a society

 

Factual Information Questions事实信息题

 

Aorganize their society in more complex ways

Bprovide evidence of their society’s historical importance

Cincrease the wealth of their society

Dsupport the idea that the elites deserved to govern their society

7

Complex societies ordinarily consisted of multiple settlements organized in a hierarchy (ordered from high status to low status). Consequently, archaeologists survey the region to determine how any given site compares to other simultaneously occupied settlements in the same area. The most common and helpful surface artifacts recovered during such surveys are often pieces of broken pots called sherds. Different kinds of sherds found on a site’s surface provide a rough inventory of the different cultural traditions followed by inhabitants over time. When the survey is completed, archaeologists tabulate and map the percentages of different kinds of sherds. A series of maps showing the distribution of each particular kind of pottery illustrates the degree to which settlement size and population changed over time. When researchers are able to accurately associate the different kinds of pottery with the stratigraphy (order and relative position of soil layers) of well-excavated sites in the region, they can devise a portrait of settlement patterns over time. Systematic survey and mapping work in southern Iraq permitted Robert Adams and Hans Nissen to show how the small, scattered settlements that prevailed in the countryside of ancient Mesopotamia around 8,000 years ago were gradually abandoned over the centuries, such that by about 5,200 years ago virtually everyone was living in a handful of large settlements, which Adams and Nissen call “cities.”

The word”prevailed”in the passage is closest in meaning to

 

Vocabulary Questions词汇题

 

Aoriginated

Bwere dominant

Cdisappeared

Dwere isolated

8

Complex societies ordinarily consisted of multiple settlements organized in a hierarchy (ordered from high status to low status). Consequently, archaeologists survey the region to determine how any given site compares to other simultaneously occupied settlements in the same area. The most common and helpful surface artifacts recovered during such surveys are often pieces of broken pots called sherds. Different kinds of sherds found on a site’s surface provide a rough inventory of the different cultural traditions followed by inhabitants over time. When the survey is completed, archaeologists tabulate and map the percentages of different kinds of sherds. A series of maps showing the distribution of each particular kind of pottery illustrates the degree to which settlement size and population changed over time. When researchers are able to accurately associate the different kinds of pottery with the stratigraphy (order and relative position of soil layers) of well-excavated sites in the region, they can devise a portrait of settlement patterns over time. Systematic survey and mapping work in southern Iraq permitted Robert Adams and Hans Nissen to show how the small, scattered settlements that prevailed in the countryside of ancient Mesopotamia around 8,000 years ago were gradually abandoned over the centuries, such that by about 5,200 years ago virtually everyone was living in a handful of large settlements, which Adams and Nissen call “cities.”

The method of archaeological mapping described in paragraph 5 led researchers to which of the following conclusions about ancient settlements?

 

Factual Information Questions事实信息题

 

AOver time, power in settlements of hierarchically organized societies became distributed more evenly.

BThe cultural traditions of the inhabitants did not vary much from one settlement to another.

CHuman settlements show signs of complexity beginning 8,000 years ago in what is now southern Iraq.

DMost people in Mesopotamia 5,200 years ago lived in a relatively smal number of large settlements.

9

Among the monumental structures built in the earliest complex societies were tombs. Differences in the size and construction of burials parallel differences in the size and construction of residences, and both suggest the emergence of a stratified society (one marked by class differences). Graves that are larger and built of more costly materials often contain a variety of objects, called grave goods, that were buried with the body. [■]Smaller, modest graves occurring in the same assemblage and containing few or no grave goods provide evidence for social stratification. [■]The number and quality of grave goods found with a body give clues as to just how highly stratified a society was. [■]Many of the grave goods recovered from rich tombs are masterpieces of ceramics, metallurgy, weaving, and other crafts, indicating that the society had achieved a high degree of technological skill and, thus, a complex division of labor.[■]

Archaeologist Michael Hoffman proposed that the key to understanding the first complex societies lies in their social organization. For the first time in human history, societies had been formed in which tremendous power was concentrated in the hands of a tiny elite-who undoubtedly found their privileges challenged by their new subjects. Under such circumstances, the production of monumental architecture and quantities of luxury goods served as evidence of the elite’s fitness to rule.

Look at the four squares [■]that indicate where the following sentence could be added to the passage

Such graves might include both ordinary household items, such as pots, and high-quality jewelry.

Insert Text Questions句子插入题

 

Where would the sentence best fit？Click on a square  sentence to the passage.

10

Archaeologists regard ancient human communities with advanced technology and specialized labor as complex societies.

 

Prose Summary Questions概要小结题

 

Select 3 answers

AThe use of very simple forms in ancient construction has led archaeologists to suspect that monumental architecture began thousands of years before there were specialized labor roles.

BEarly monumental structures may look similar because only a few basic forms could be built then, but these structures varied in their purpose and in the building techniques used.

CThe systematic mapping of human settlements enables researchers to produce a survey of the pottery produced by inhabitants and thus assemble a cultural portrait of ancient Mesopotamia.

DMonumental structures characterize both ancient and modern architecture, but ancient monuments served no practical functions and were marked by technological simplicity.

EVariations in the dimensions and construction of tombs and graves and in the number and kinds of objects buried with bodies are signs of the emergence of social stratification.

FArchaeologists have used the distribution of artifacts at sites in southern Iraq to determine changes in the populations of settlements in the region over thousands of years.