Final answer:
In ranked societies, chiefs with greater supernatural force or power have legitimacy and authority, which justifies and solidifies their position within the community. This spiritual status often leads to hereditary succession and the emergence of a royal lineage.
Step-by-step explanation:
In ranked societies, chiefs and their lineages that have more supernatural force or power would be considered to have legitimacy and authority. The connection to the supernatural realm is often used to justify and solidify a chief's power and position.
Chiefs and their families could be seen as closer to the gods or possessing a higher level of spiritual force. Through this elevated status, they are often entrusted with both political and religious duties. This could include leading important community rituals to ensure agricultural productivity and community prosperity, reflecting their integral role in both governance and the welfare of their people.
As chiefdoms evolve, chiefs may expand their influence to incorporate multiple communities and may hand down their roles hereditarily, often leading to the emergence of a royal lineage. This hereditary succession often depends on the continuation of the belief in the chiefs' special connection to supernatural forces, which in turn maintains their preeminent status in the society.