Read the given passage carefully and answer the question that follows From the seeming irrelevancies of this archaeological gossip, some concrete meaning for the ambiguous term "knowledge" should yet have been emerging. It has at least been distinguished from instinctive "responses" and from what popular psychology terms "memories", as long as such remain personal and private. The knowledge embodied in the hand axes of the Old Stone Age was both useful and public. It enabled our remote precursors or ancestors to make serviceable tools such as they needed to supplement the deficiencies of their limbs and other bodily organs. And it was communicated to and transmitted by all human beings who made hand axes for thousands of generations. Thus this knowledge was preserved - but not only preserved. It was also enriched and extended. During the two or three hundred years over which hand axes were being made, archaeologists can detect improvements in their form and changes in the techniques of manufacture. More efficient tools were produced with less effort. These progressive changes reflect additions to knowledge, discoveries and inventions that were made public and incorporated in the traditional lore or knowledge used, transmitted and maintained by Old Stone Age societies. Of course, the progressive change observed in archaeologists' "hand axes" is just one case of the general technological progress from simple manual tools of stone and bone to complicated machines made of metallic alloys and other artificial substances and operated by electrical or even nuclear power. It is this technological progress that has secured for Homo sapiens the victory over all competitors in the evolutionary race for survival. But technological progress in its turn is just the result and consequence of the accumulation of knowledge. That accumulation was possible just because human knowledge is public; one member of the species can communicate to another what he has found out.
Archaeologists can detect in the form of hand axes and change in ________
Techniques of manufacture
Analyzing the Passage and Question on Hand Axes and Archaeology
The question asks what archaeologists can detect in the form of hand axes and changes in. To answer this, we need to carefully read the provided passage and locate the sentence that discusses archaeologists, hand axes, and the changes they observe.
Let's examine the relevant part of the passage:
"During the two or three hundred years over which hand axes were being made, archaeologists can detect improvements in their form and changes in the techniques of manufacture."
This sentence directly states what archaeologists observe in hand axes over time: improvements in their form and changes in the techniques of manufacture.
Evaluating the Options Based on the Passage
Now, let's compare this finding with the given options:
- Option 1: Cost of manufacture - The passage does not mention archaeologists detecting changes in the cost of manufacturing hand axes.
- Option 2: Inputs in manufacture - While the passage discusses materials used (stone, bone, metals), it doesn't explicitly state that archaeologists detect changes in the *inputs* regarding the form and technique changes observed in ancient hand axes. The focus is on technique and form improvement.
- Option 3: Techniques of manufacture - This option perfectly matches the phrase "changes in the techniques of manufacture" found in the passage as something archaeologists can detect.
- Option 4: Use of manufacture - The passage mentions the use of hand axes as serviceable tools, but it doesn't say archaeologists detect changes in the *use* based on studying the artifacts' form and manufacturing techniques.
Based on the explicit statement in the passage, archaeologists detect changes in the techniques of manufacture of hand axes.
Conclusion on Archaeologists and Hand Axe Techniques
The passage clearly indicates that archaeologists, by studying the form and changes in hand axes over time, can detect improvements in their form and changes in the techniques used to manufacture them. Therefore, the correct answer is directly supported by the text.
| Option | Supported by Passage? | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of manufacture | No | Not mentioned in relation to archaeological detection from hand axes. |
| Inputs in manufacture | No | Passage mentions materials, but not detection of input changes from form/technique analysis of ancient artifacts. |
| Techniques of manufacture | Yes | Directly stated in the passage: "changes in the techniques of manufacture". |
| Use of manufacture | No | Passage mentions use, but not detection of changes in *use* from artifact analysis focusing on form/technique. |
Thus, the passage confirms that archaeologists detect changes in the techniques of manufacturing hand axes.
Revision Table: Understanding Archaeological Study
| Concept | Description from Passage | Archaeological Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Knowledge | Distinct from instinct/private memory; useful and public. | Embodied in tools like hand axes. |
| Hand Axes | Serviceable tools from Old Stone Age. | Show improvements in form and technique over time. |
| Technological Progress | General advancement from simple tools to complex machines. | Reflected in progressive changes in tools like hand axes. |
| Accumulation of Knowledge | Result of public knowledge communication. | Drives technological progress and survival advantage. |
Additional Information: Studying Ancient Technology
Archaeologists study ancient artifacts like hand axes not just as objects, but as sources of information about past societies, their skills, knowledge, and technological evolution. By analyzing the shape, wear patterns, material, and manufacturing marks on stone tools, they can infer the methods used to create them, how they were used, and how these techniques and uses changed over thousands of years. This analysis reveals the accumulation and transmission of practical knowledge within prehistoric communities.
The improvements in hand axe form mentioned in the passage, such as becoming more symmetrical, thinner, or having sharper edges, indicate refinements in knapping techniques (the process of shaping stone by striking). These refinements represent innovations that were likely shared and passed down through generations, contributing to the 'public' nature of knowledge discussed in the passage.
Important Questions from Basic Sociology
Serviceable tools were needed to supplement the deficiencies of
What was the knowledge embodied in the hand axes of the Old Stone Age?
The distinction in knowledge has emphasized through _______
Technological progress is the result of the accumulation of ________
In which year was the word Sociology first used?
