Jones: Prehistoric wooden tools found in South America have been dated to 13,000 years ago. Although scientists attri...

Naz August 1, 2014

Jones does not agree with the scientists that attribute the prehistoric wooden tools that were found in South America to the peoples whose ancestors first crossed into the Americas from Siberia to Alaska. He explains that these scientists are mistaken because in order to have reached a site so far south, the people must have been migrating southward well before 13,000 years ago. But, he explains that there were no tools dating to before 13,000 years ago found anywhere between Alaska and South America.

So, Jones is assuming that if they were not found, then they did not exist.

Smith points out that this assumption is flawed, i.e. it is inconclusive. He explains that the tools that were found were discovered in peat bogs, which preserved the tools, as opposed to any wooden tools that did not end up in peat bogs, which would have decomposed. Thus, just because none were found dating to before 13,000 years ago between Alaska and South America that does not necessarily mean they did not exist.

Answer choice (E) states: "challenging an implicit assumption in Jones's argument."

As discussed above, this is exactly what Smith's response does. Smith explains that just because tools were not found, does not support the conclusion that such tools did not exist at some point. Smith elaborates that the wooden tools that were found were found in peat bogs, which helped preserve them.

Answer choice (C) states: "disputing the accuracy of the supporting evidence cited by Jones."

Smith is not disputing the accuracy of Jones' evidence, rather he is disputing the accuracy of Jones' conclusion. Smith concedes that there are no wooden tools found anywhere between Alaska and South America, but explains that this does not mean they did not exist.

Hope that clears things up! Please let us know if you have any more questions.