why are object libraries stored in archive files?

[Doug Moen]

Why aren't they stored in directories?
That is, why aren't the object files comprising the C library stored
in a directory called /lib/libc, together with a symbol table cross
reference file?

This would seem like the obvious way to do it.

The best explanation I've been able to get is that object libraries
are stored in archive files for historical reasons, and it's never
occurred to anyone to change things.
-- 
Doug Moen
{cbosgd,decvax,duke,ihnp4,research,utzoo,watmath}!hcr!doug