| Number and Source of Ink Types Used in Manuscripts Found at Different Depths in a Medieval Monastery Library |
|---|
| Depth of manuscripts found (meters) | Manuscripts using plant-based ink | Manuscripts using mineral-based ink |
|---|
| 1–2 | 54 | 13 |
| 2–3 | 20 | 9 |
| 3–4 | 5 | 6 |
| 4–5 | 1 | 7 |
| 5–6 | 0 | 8 |
Historians examining manuscripts recovered from a buried medieval monastery library in Northern Europe have found two main types of ink: plant-based ink, derived from local flora, and mineral-based ink, produced by processing rare minerals. According to researcher Dr. Helena Krüger, plant-based ink was more readily available, while mineral-based ink, though more durable and vibrant, required extensive effort to produce or acquire.
Dr. Krüger and her team believe that the shift in ink usage across different manuscript layers reflects both accessibility of resources and changing priorities over time. The team concluded that manuscripts with mineral-based ink were harder to create but may have been more highly valued.
Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to support the research team's conclusion?
