For decades, historians characterized the ancient Maya civilization primarily as a collection of independent city-states engaged in constant warfare a...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
For decades, historians characterized the ancient Maya civilization primarily as a collection of independent city-states engaged in constant warfare and competition for resources. This interpretation, based on early archaeological findings and colonial-era Spanish accounts, dominated scholarly understanding throughout most of the twentieth century. However, recent advances in deciphering Maya hieroglyphic writing have revealed extensive evidence of diplomatic alliances, trade networks, and cultural exchange among Maya centers. New research by archaeologist David Stuart and his colleagues has uncovered inscriptions documenting complex political relationships that suggest a far more interconnected civilization than previously believed.
Which choice best states the main idea of the text?
The Maya civilization was traditionally viewed as fragmented and warlike, but recent archaeological discoveries have revealed a more interconnected and diplomatically sophisticated society.
Recent breakthroughs in deciphering Maya hieroglyphs have confirmed long-held theories about the competitive nature of ancient Maya city-states.
Archaeological limitations have historically prevented accurate study of Maya civilization, but new technologies have enabled more precise analysis of Maya artifacts.
The work of David Stuart and his colleagues has challenged previously accepted claims about trade relationships among ancient Maya centers.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'For decades, historians characterized the ancient Maya civilization primarily as a collection of independent city-states engaged in constant warfare and competition for resources.' |
|
| 'This interpretation, based on early archaeological findings and colonial-era Spanish accounts, dominated scholarly understanding throughout most of the twentieth century.' |
|
| 'However, recent advances in deciphering Maya hieroglyphic writing have revealed extensive evidence of diplomatic alliances, trade networks, and cultural exchange among Maya centers.' |
|
| 'New research by archaeologist David Stuart and his colleagues has uncovered inscriptions documenting complex political relationships that suggest a far more interconnected civilization than previously believed.' |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Recent archaeological advances have challenged the long-held view of Maya civilization as fragmented and warlike, revealing instead a more interconnected society with sophisticated diplomatic relationships.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes how historians traditionally viewed Maya civilization as isolated, competing city-states based on early evidence and Spanish accounts. It then presents a clear contrast by showing how recent breakthroughs in deciphering Maya writing have uncovered extensive evidence of cooperation and interconnection. The argument concludes with specific research that reinforces this new understanding of Maya society as far more sophisticated and interconnected than previously believed.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
This is a fill-in-the-blank question asking us to choose the best logical connector. The answer must create the right relationship between what comes before and after the blank.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The correct answer needs to capture the central shift this passage describes - from one understanding of Maya civilization to another
- It should include both the traditional view (fragmented, warlike) and the new understanding (interconnected, diplomatically sophisticated) that recent archaeological evidence has revealed
- The answer should also indicate that this change in understanding came from new research/discoveries, particularly the deciphering of Maya hieroglyphs
The Maya civilization was traditionally viewed as fragmented and warlike, but recent archaeological discoveries have revealed a more interconnected and diplomatically sophisticated society.
- Captures both the traditional view (fragmented and warlike) and the new understanding (interconnected and diplomatically sophisticated)
- Correctly identifies that recent archaeological discoveries led to this changed understanding
- Matches perfectly with our passage analysis showing the contrast between old and new views
Recent breakthroughs in deciphering Maya hieroglyphs have confirmed long-held theories about the competitive nature of ancient Maya city-states.
- Claims that recent breakthroughs 'confirmed long-held theories about the competitive nature' of Maya city-states
- This is the opposite of what happened - recent discoveries challenged and contradicted the competitive view
Archaeological limitations have historically prevented accurate study of Maya civilization, but new technologies have enabled more precise analysis of Maya artifacts.
- Focuses on archaeological limitations and new technologies rather than the shift in understanding about Maya society
- While the passage mentions advances in deciphering hieroglyphs, the main point isn't about technological improvements but about what those improvements revealed
The work of David Stuart and his colleagues has challenged previously accepted claims about trade relationships among ancient Maya centers.
- Only focuses on David Stuart's work and trade relationships, which is too narrow
- Stuart's research is just one specific example supporting the broader shift described in the passage