so far

[curious]

So far, they ---- enough tombs ---- at any clear understanding of the rituals and lives of these ancient people.

A) had not excavated / to arrive
B) have not excavated / to have arrived
C) could not have excavated / having arrived
D) would not excavate / arriving
E) are not excavating / to have arrived

I am stuck between A and B. Can you clarify the point?

[MrPedantic]

Hello Curious

You're right to be undecided.

'A' might occur in the story of an excavation in the past; 'B', in the context of a present excavation.

Even 'E' is just possible, though unlikely.

MrP

[curious]

Thank you, MrP.

What is the difference between

So far, they have not excavated enough tombs to have arrived at any clear understanding of the rituals and lives of these ancient people.

and

So far, they have not excavated enough tombs to arrive at any clear understanding of the rituals and lives of these ancient people.

[MrPedantic]

Hello Curious

Oddly enough, the same question has just come up in another thread – I hope you don't mind if I repeat myself:

________

2a. So far, they haven't excavated enough tombs to arrive at any clear understanding of the rituals and lives of these ancient people.

— here, we are imagining the point where enough tombs have been excavated and clear understanding is ensuing. Hence the present infinitive.

2b. So far, they haven't excavated enough tombs to have arrived at any clear understanding of the rituals and lives of these ancient people.

— here, we are imagining the point where enough tombs have been excavated, and clear understanding has already ensued. Hence the perfect infinitive.
________

See you,
MrP

[curious]

Thank you MrP. It's our mistake, not yours. Actually both Mamger and me are members of dilforum where you sometimes visit. Thank you for your help.

[MrPedantic]

No problem at all! It's good to see you here.

MrP