Which two of the following were posited as early theories for why the Ancestral Pueblos built wide roads?
A. They may have allowed movement of laborers carrying supplies.
B. They may have been used for marching armies.
C. They may have been used to explore new places.
D. They may have been used for primitive vehicles.
E. They may have been used for a trade route with nearby communities.
The Ancestral Pueblo people did not have vehicles or even beasts of burden. Some wondered why they would bother with such wide, highly engineered roads. Some suggested the roads allowed laborers to carry the heavy roof beams used in the great houses. A few people thought armies marched on the roads.
The correct answers are:
A. They may have allowed movement of laborers carrying supplies.
E. They may have been used for a trade route with nearby communities.
Explanation: The Ancestral Pueblo people built wide roads primarily to facilitate the movement of laborers transporting heavy materials, such as roof beams for their houses. Furthermore, these roads likely served as trade routes to connect with nearby communities, enhancing trade and communication. The other options, such as marching armies or exploring new places, are less applicable considering their lack of vehicles and beasts of burden.