- UID
- 730145
- 在线时间
- 小时
- 注册时间
- 2012-3-1
- 最后登录
- 1970-1-1
- 主题
- 帖子
- 性别
- 保密
|
Woven baskets characterized by a particular distinctive pattern have previously been found only in the immediate vicinity of the prehistoric village of Palea and therefore were believed to have been made only by the Palean people. Recently, however, archaeologists discovered such a " alean" basket in Lithos, an ancient village across the Brim River from Palea. The Brim River is very deep and broad, and so the ancient Paleans could have crossed it only by boat, and no Palean boats have been found. Thus it follows that the so-called Palean baskets were not uniquely Palean.
Traditionally, woven baskets were believed to have been made only by the Palean people, since they were found in the immediate vicinity of the prehistoric village of Palean. Citing a recent discovery of such a “Palean” basket in Lithos, based on the facts that the Brim River between the two villages is very deep and broad, the author makes a conclusion that the so-called Palean baskets were not uniquely Palean. The argument seems to be somewhat convincing at the first glance, after a careful reflection, however, reveals it is fraught with flaws. More detailed evidence should be provided to solidify his conclusion.
In the first place, based on the fact that the Brim River is very deep and broad, the author assumes without justification that the river existed in prehistoric and were deep and broad like it is today. However, common sense informs us that it’s a poor assumption since things rarely remain the same at the different time. It is really possible that there were no river between the two villages, or though existed, it might be shallow and narrow. If it was the case, there is no barrier to prevent the communication between the two villages, and thus people in Lithos might have learned the manufacturing process of maven baskets from those in Palean. Without extra evidence to rule out the possibility, the author cannot make the conclusion arbitrarily.
In the second place, even assuming that the Brim River existed in prehistoric and were so deep and broad that no one can cross it without by boat, based on the fact that no boats have been found, the author still cannot make the conclusion. That no boats have been found doesn’t definitely mean Palea had no boats at that time. A thorough investigation should be carried on to prove the impossibility. If there is an evidence to demonstrate the Palean people had abilities to make boats, or even simple rafts, then the author’s conclusion would be unpersuasive, for the Palean people might sail across the river with a simple raft and brought their woven baskets to those in Lithos.
Moreover, the author is blind to other cases in which the so-called Palean baskets might appear in Lithos. In the argument, the author postulates that if the Palean people cannot cross the river, then the Palean baskets had no opportunity to be discovered in Lithos. However, extra factors can result in the appearance. Perhaps, some old merchant bartered away Palean woven baskets before and then bartered with people in Lithos later. It is also possible that some Palean baskets arrive in lithos through drifting across the river between the two villages. Any of these scenarios, if true, will undermine the validity of the author’s conclusion.
To sum up, the author’s conclusion is of little credibility. To solidify his argument, the author should provide more detailed information about the conditions about the two villages at that time. In addition, he would have to present sufficient evidence to rule out the above-mentioned possibilities.
|
|
京公网安备11010202008513号 京ICP证101109号 京ICP备12012021号
发表于 2012-3-18 22:57:30
收藏
收藏
楼主
