Final answer:
Ian Hodder's work among several contemporary ethnic groups in eastern Africa showed that pottery styles were symbols of group identity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ian Hodder's work among several contemporary ethnic groups in eastern Africa showed that pottery styles were symbols of group identity. Hodder's research focused on the distribution and variation of pottery styles among different ethnic groups in the region. He found that the contemporary distribution of pottery styles corresponded to patterns of pottery style distribution discovered in the archaeological record of this region. When considering the development and distribution of pottery styles, archaeologists like Hodder analyze how these styles can be traced from one location to another. This analysis can suggest trade routes, migratory patterns, and cultural exchanges between different groups. In Hodder's case, the similarity between contemporary pottery styles and those found in the archaeological stratigraphy helps to confirm the continuity and evolution of cultural identities over time.
Answer: B) Pottery styles were symbols of group identity