Along the rocky Algerian coast, just east of where Mount Chenoua slides into the Medi-terranean, has stood Tipasa for more than 2,500 years. It is considered one of the most important archaeological sites in North Africa.
Tipasa fell into ruin in the sixth century. Both its main group of buildings on the coast and an inland monumental tomb(陵墓)surrounded by the olive trees were all forgotten. Most of the ancient city, in fact, remains buried under the ground. For the last few decades, however, what’s left of Tipasa’s past has been increasingly surrounded on three sides by the expanding modern town of Tipasa. And to the north, the waves lap ever closer.
“What’s special about Tipasa, a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site since 1982, is its unique landscape, the shared presence of history and archaeology, culture, nature and architecture. It’s the spirit of the place,” said Lynda, who has studied Tipasa and the ongoing challenges from both rapid urbanization(城市化)and inadequate(不足的)site management.
Now, Tipasa is entering a new period, perhaps its last: It’s become a symbol of an entire continent’s heritage in great danger. In a recent Nature Climate Change paper, a team reported the results: How sea level rise is affecting nearly 300 World Heritage Sites around Africa’s roughly 20,000 miles of coastline. About 20 percent of the sites examined, including Tipasa, are already at high risk from flooding and erosion(侵蚀).By 2050 that figure is expected to more than three times.
The site’s 21st-century problems have only increased in the last two decades. UNESCO has repeatedly threatened to strip the site of World Heritage status. As recently as 2021, the organization noted a series of problems at Tipasa, such as modern building, including a proposed port, that threatened the site’s completeness.
8. What can we infer about Tipasa?
A.It was built in 2,500 RCE. |
B.It is the most important archaeological site in Africa. |
C.It is the most famous tourist attraction in North Africa. |
D.It suffered from complete damage in the sixth century. |
9. What do Lynda’s words in paragraph 3 show?
A.Tipasa has its unique characteristics. |
B.Tipasa is experiencing quick development. |
C.Tipasa has been a World Heritage Site since 1990s. |
D.Tipasa has been paid much attention to its management. |
10. What puts Tipasa in a high-risk situation?
A.The overdevelopment of the sea. | B.The tourism. |
C.The flood | D.The pollution. |
11. What does the underlined word “strip” in the last paragraph mean?
A.Increase. | B.Gather. | C.Figure. | D.Remove. |