Question

In the Swartkans territory, archaeologists discovered charred bone fragments dating back one million years. Analysis of the fragments, which came from a variety of animals, showed that they had been heated to temperatures no higher than those produced in experimental campfires made from branches of white, stinkwood, the most common tree around Swartkans.
Which of the following, if true, would, together with the information above, provide the best basis for the claim that the charred bone fragments are evidence of the use of fire by early hominids?

• A. The white stinkwood tree is used for building material by the present day inhabitants of Swartkans
  
• B. Forest fires can heat wood to a range of temperatures that occur in campfires.
  
• C. The bone fragments were fitted together by the archaeologists to form the complete skeletons of several animals.
  
• D. The bone fragments were found in several distinct layers of limestone that contained primitive cutting tools known to have been used by early hominids
  
• E. None of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is D The bone fragments were found in several distinct layers of limestone that contained primitive cutting tools known to have been used by early hominids


The information that strengthens this argument will be about the subjects of the argument will be about the subjects of the argument, not about tangential issues. In this case, the argument is about early hominids use of fire. Any physical evidence, that links the early hominids to the charred bone fragments strengthens the argument. If these bone fragments were found in conjunction with some other evidence of the presence of early hominids, then the evidence from the Swartkans location could be used to support the claim that early hominids used fire.
Hence, the statement (4) properly identifies evidence that links early hominids to these bone fragments and so strengthens the argument.