The author recommends that pots were spread by migration, not trade. To substantiate this recommendation the author of this report cites the fact that many of the bones found near the pots at a few sites showed high levels of the metallic element which are associated with people who migrated to a new place after childhood. On the basis of these evidences, the author infer that the pot makers migrated to the various sites and carried the pots along with them, not spread by commercial trade. At first glance, the author’s reasoning seems to be appealing, while clearly examining the author’s reasoning, we may find that it is unconvincing. The argument contains several facets that are questionable. (开头分析了作者的观点及论据，不错)
First of all, although analysis of the bones of prehistoric human skeletons can settle the debate: high levels of a certain metallic element contained in various foods are strongly associated with people who migrated to a new place after childhood, the premise of this recommendation that these bones are all the people who lived in the same area in their childhood is not established. (这句里用although感觉不太好，因为事实上这个debate并没有被合理地settle。是不是可以直接这样说，by the analysis of the prehistoric people’s bones, the author settle the debate that…. However, we could be aware the premise of this recommendation is not established after closely examining. These bones might not belong to those who lived in the same area in their childhood…) However, the author does not provide enough sufficient evidences to bolster his or her view.
Secondly, nevertheless (although) many bones which are high level of a certain metallic element are found beside the pots, there are still no evidences to prove that this certain metallic element not (去掉not) exactly exists only in a small area. It may be in large number of areas. If this metallic element exits in many different areas, these bones belong to people in different places. Just depending on this evidence, the author cannot conclude a convincing conclusion.
Thirdly, admittedly, the bones near the pots belong to people who migrated to this new place after childhood, this (改成which) only shows that the pots next to these bones were spread by immigrants. However, the pots in other places were not spread necessarily in the same way as this place. Therefore the all pots were not spread by the pot makers migrated to the various places.
Last, even if I concede that pots were spread by the pot makers migrated to the various places, the author provide insufficient evident to exclude the trade as a reason. Perhaps there are some of pots spread by immigrants, and others spread by trade.
In conclusion, the report fails to convince me that pots were spread by migration, not trade. To bolster the argument the author must find more credible data and account for all other factors which did not happen in this event.
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文章结构整齐，方方面面都想到了，很不错~~
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发表于 2009-1-13 19:44:29
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