Marine archaeologists recently discovered underwater in an ancient Mediterranean harbor se
veral hundred ceramic objects, dating back approximately 4,000 years. Although any remnants of a ships wooden frame. would have long ago decayed, the quantity and variety of the ceramics discovered in the initial investigation led the archaeologists to hypothesize that they had discovered an approximately 4, 000-year-old shipwreck. Which of the following, if true, gives the strongest support to the archaeologists hypothesis?
A.Marine archaeologists have discovered a 3, 000-year-old shipwreck in another ancient Mediterranean harbor.
B.The rate at which wood decays when submerged in water varies greatly with the type of wood involved.
C.Two confirmed shipwrecks, approximately 3,500 and 3,000 years old, respectively, have been discovered in the same harbor in which the ceramic objects were discovered.
D.The ceramics discovered in the harbor are similar to ceramics found in several other ancient Mediterranean harbors.
E.Bronze ship"s fittings, approximately 4,000 years old, were discovered on the seabed among the ceramic objects.