Question

questions 7 through 9 refer to the following. one of the most important aspects of the maya economy was the exchange of exotic goods. maya rulers and elites needed such goods to maintain and reinforce their social status and power. many of these goods were used in the formal dress of kings, nobles, and priests. without them, the elites could not carry out the rituals that were their principal duties in the eyes of the people. jaguar pelts, fine textiles, feathers, and other such products were exchanged over long distances within the maya lowlands. such items were probably exchanged as dowry, gifts at royal marriages, coronations, funerals, or at religious pilgrimages. exotic goods were also probably given as tribute to rulers by their vassals. these high - status goods held together the maya world and unified patterns of behavior in religion, science, and warfare. their exchange surely went hand in hand with exchanges of information, including scientific knowledge, early writing, and, most importantly, models of political organization. arthur demarest, united states anthropologist, ancient maya: the rise and fall of a rainforest civilization, 2004 which of the following does the author cite most directly to support his argument in the third paragraph about the importance of exotic goods in the maya region? a the existence of sophisticated astronomical tables b the emergence of a unified maya kingdom based on new political models c the emergence of new systems of writing based on earlier mesoamerican systems d the existence of unified patterns of behavior in warfare, science, and religion

Explanation:

The text emphasizes the role of exotic goods in the Maya economy for maintaining social - status and power through exchanges. The existence of sophisticated astronomical tables is not directly related to the importance of exotic goods. The emergence of a unified kingdom based on new political models is also not the main focus regarding exotic goods. The emergence of new writing systems is not relevant to the significance of exotic goods. The existence of unified patterns of behavior in warfare, science, and religion is not the main point about exotic goods. The text clearly links exotic goods to social - status and power, and the exchange of such goods was crucial in the Maya region.

Answer:

A. The existence of sophisticated astronomical tables