Remains of an ancient battlefield
Among the notable findings
According to Shen, the moat runs
2 . Researchers have found a group of lost cities in the Amazon rainforest. The cities were home to at least 10,000 farmers around 2,000 years ago.
Stéphen Rostain, one of the researchers, first noticed the earthen mounds (土墩) and buried roads in Ecuador more than twenty years ago. But at the time, he wasn’t sure how it all fitted together. Recent mapping using laser (激光) technology revealed those locations to be part of a group of settlements in the forested areas near the Andes mountains and connecting roads.
This LIDAR image provided by researchers in January 2024 shows complexes of rectangular (矩形) platforms arranged around low squares along wide dug streets at the Kunguints site, Upano Valley in Ecuador. “It was a lost valley of cities, and it’s incredible” said Rostain.
The Upano people lived in the settlements between around 500 B. C. and 300 to 600 A. D. That was around the same time period as the Roman Empire in Europe. Ancient people built on over 6,000 earthen mounds in an area surrounded by agricultural fields with drainage (排水) canals. The largest roads were 10 meters wide and went for 10 to 20 kilometers. While it is difficult to estimate populations, the area was home to at least 10,000 people, and possibly about 15,000 or 30,000 at its highest point. That is comparable to the estimated population of Roman-era London, then Britain’s largest city. The Amazon is often thought of as a wild area with only small groups of people. But recent discoveries have shown us how much more complex the past really is.
Scientists have recently also found evidence of complex rainforest societies that came before European contact elsewhere in the Amazon, including in Bolivia and Brazil. “There’s always been an incredible diversity of people and settlements in the Amazon, not only one way to live,” said Rostain. “We’re just learning more about them.”
1. What does Rostain think about the finding?A.Unreasonable. | B.Understandable. | C.Unforgettable. | D.Unbelievable. |
A.The lost cities’ long history and complex civilization. |
B.The lost cities’ relationship with the Roman Empire. |
C.The Upano people’s similarities in lifestyle with London. |
D.The Upano people’s advanced agriculture and transport. |
A.People have learned enough about the complex societies. |
B.Much remains to be discovered about the lost societies. |
C.The rainforest societies are as complex as ever thought. |
D.European contact with the lost cities dates from long ago. |
A.The Loss of Complex Rainforest Societies |
B.The History of Complex Old Settlements |
C.Researchers Discover Lost Cities in Amazon |
D.Scientists Find Incredible Diversity of People |
The saying ‘All roads lead to Xianyang’ may not be widely known, but it is the
Like the Great Wall, these roads,
The mysterious ancient roads,
Yuanmingyuan — garden of all gardens
Silk was invented in China in 3000 BC. It was well integrated into the Chinese economy during the Han Dynasty,
Women played
Producing silk is a
6 . The recently opened time capsule at the U.S. Military Academy West Point has sparked excitement and curiosity. Although the initial disappointment was palpable when the box seemed to contain only dirt, the discovery of hidden treasures has reawakened interest in the historical significance of the artifacts.
The time capsule, believed to have been placed by West Point military students, was found inside the base of a memorial dedicated to Thaddeus Kosciuszko, a Revolutionary War hero. The contents of the capsule, revealed during a ceremonial opening at the military school, included six silver American coins dating from 1795 and 1828, as well as a medal commemorating (纪念) the Erie Canal from 1826.
While the live opening event did not provide the expected glimpse into historical military objects or documents, it has deepened the mystery surrounding the purpose of the time capsule. The discovery of these valuable coins and medal supports the theory that the box was buried by the military students sometime between 1828 and 1829. Additional research will be conducted to explore other potential surprises within the capsule.
The preservation and investigation of the time capsule hold immense historical value, casting light on the past and connecting the present generation with the stories and legacy of those who came before. Archeologist Paul Hudson, despite the initial letdown, remains optimistic about the ongoing research possibilities and the potential insights awaiting discovery.
As experts explore further into the remains of the time capsule, they aim to uncover any remaining artifacts and gain a better understanding of the time period and the motivations behind burying this historical treasure. The challenge lies in preserving and studying the fragile materials, considering the potential damage caused by moisture and the passage of nearly two centuries.
The exploration of this time capsule serves as a reminder of our shared history and the importance of preserving and celebrating the contributions and sacrifices made by those who paved the way for future generations. The story of the West Point time capsule continues to capture the imagination of historians, researchers, and the public, as they eagerly await further discoveries and insights from this extraordinary find.
1. What does the underlined word “palpable” in paragraph 1 mean?A.Apparent. | B.Unreasonable. | C.Lasting. | D.Impossible. |
A.It was placed to commemorate the Erie Canal. |
B.It was buried during the Revolutionary War. |
C.It was treated well as a gift from a foreign country. |
D.It was likely buried by military students in the 1800s. |
A.Donate them to a museum. | B.Sell them to collectors. |
C.Bury them again for future generations. | D.Continue studying them for further insights. |
A.They are difficult to analyze due to their small size. |
B.They may have been seriously damaged over the two centuries. |
C.They had been heavily damaged before the capsule was buried. |
D.The time capsule had been placed in a remote and inaccessible location. |
The earliest Chinese kites
The method of making a kite can be divided into three parts. Firstly, use thin bamboo strips (条)
Although the basic method remains the same, styles of kite making are presented
With just five weeks before King Charles Ⅲ’s coronation (加冕典礼), workers at Duchess China (瓷器) Factory in the central England city of Stoke-on-Trent
“Duchess China Factory,
The teacups and plates for King Charles Ⅲ’s coronation feature the Union Jack (国旗)
When Charles is crowned at London’s Westminster Abbey on May 6, the ceremony will be the UK’s first coronation since his mother, Queen Elizabeth Ⅱ,
If you have the chance to go back to ancient China and ask
In ancient China, it was not that
However, people still like to call
Imperial Mountain Resort in Chengde used to be the resort of emperors of Qing Dynasty. Situated in the city of Chengde in northeastern Hebei Province, the resort is
Surrounded by lakes, forest and mountains, it is China’s
The resort and the 12 Buddhist temples at its periphery (外围) were built during the Qing Dynasty. It served as the second political center of the Qing imperial court