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Information and IdeasVery hardDetail: what the survey of the wall found

Information and Ideas practice question

The city wall was assumed to be Roman throughout. A survey in 2021 found Roman stone only in the lowest two courses; above them the masonry was medieval, reusing Roman blocks with their inscriptions turned inward. The wall is thus Roman in its footings and its material, but medieval in its building.

According to the text, what did the 2021 survey establish about the wall?

  1. A. Only its lowest courses are Roman work; the rest was built in the medieval period from reused Roman stone.Correct
  2. B. The wall is Roman throughout.
  3. C. The wall contains no Roman stone.
  4. D. The inscriptions were carved in the medieval period.

Answer: A. Only its lowest courses are Roman work; the rest was built in the medieval period from reused Roman stone.

Roman footings, medieval building, reused blocks.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. The wall is Roman throughout.
That was the assumption the survey overturned.
C. The wall contains no Roman stone.
Roman blocks were reused.
D. The inscriptions were carved in the medieval period.
The inscriptions are on the Roman blocks.

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