TPO 33 #1

The reading provides three theories to support the claim that the carved stone balls which dated from the late Neolithic period have a specific purpose although archaeologists do not agree with these theories. However, the professor believes that none of the three theories are convincing.

To begin with, the article contends that the carved stone balls were used in hunting and fighting because they found holes in them. On the other hand, the professor states that there were no signs that they were used for this purpose since there were no cracking or missing pieces found in the balls. He mentions that arrows and other weapons usually have signs on them because they are used for hunting and fighting. Also, he explains that the surfaces of the balls were well preserved which indicates that they were not used for hunting or fighting purposes.

Secondly, the author implies that they were used as standard weights for measurement because they are uniform on size. The professor, in contrast, says that it is true that they have uniform size but they have different types of stones which make them not equal in weight. He explains that two balls with the same size may have different weight because they have different types of stones. Thus, the consideration that they were used as a weight system is wrong.

Finally, the reading posits that carved stone balls indicate an important social status of their owners. The professor opposes this points by saying that some of them are too simple to be important for the owners. He mentions that usually high ranking people in the Neolithic period like to be buried with their possessions when they are died since no carved stone balls were found in any tomb or grave, they probably were not used for a social purpose.