Question

33. Read the arguments given below and answer the questions that follow.
Excavation of the ancient city of Harappa near Mohenjodaro revealed a pattern of debris and collapsed buildings, typical of towns devastated by earthquakes. Archaeologists have hypothesized that the destruction was due to a major earthquake known to have occurred near Mohenjodaro in AD 365.
Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports the archaeologists’ hypothesis?

• A. No coins minted after AD 365 were found in Harappa, but coins minted before that year were found in abundance.
• B. The coins minted after AD 365 were archaic in nature and were easily identified
• C. Most modern histories of Harappa mention that an earthquake occurred near the city in AD 365.
• D. Several small statues carved in styles current in Mohenjodaro in the century between AD 300 and AD 400 were found in Harappa.

Answer 1

The correct option is A No coins minted after AD 365 were found in Harappa, but coins minted before that year were found in abundance.

The archaeologists hypothesized that Harappa was devastated by an earthquake known to have occurred in AD 365. Since (e) provides evidence that AD 365 was the date when life in Harappa was disrupted, (e) supports the hypotheses that it was the AD 365 earthquake that devastated Harappa. Thus, (e) is the best answer.
By contrast, (a) and (d) give information about artifacts found in or used in Harappa, but they do not specifically point to AD 365 as the date of the devastation. Thus, (a) and (d) are inappropriate. Since (c) supports something already established, namely, that an earthquake occurred in AD 365, (c) is inappropriate.