VOA慢速英语--科学家发现了已知最大、最古老的玛雅结构

Scientists Find Largest, Oldest-Known Mayan Structure

Scientists have discovered the largest and oldest-known structure that was built by the ancient Mayan people.

Large and shaped like a rectangle, the structure was built between 2,800 and 3,000 years ago in what is now the Mexican state of Tabasco.

Unlike the large Mayan pyramids built some 1,500 years later, the newly discovered building was made with clay and earth. It was likely used for ceremonies, researchers say.

Built near the Guatemalan border, the structure measured nearly 400 meters wide and nearly 1,400 meters long. It stood between 10 and 15 meters high. It had more volume -- the amount of space -- than Egypt's Great Pyramid of Giza.

Researchers noted¹ that there were no signs of statues of powerful or wealthy people. This suggests Mayan culture may have had more equality during this period.

Takeshi Inomata, an archaeologist at the University of Arizona, led the research. The findings were published in the scientific journal Nature.

Inomata said that because the structure is so large, "it just looks like natural landscape. But its form comes out nicely in lidar," he added.

Lidar is short for Light Detection and Ranging, a method for measuring distances. It uses a laser and other information collected by flying over an area to create three-dimensional information about a surface's shape.

Some parts of the site are currently covered with cattle ranches³. Other parts have trees.

But in ancient times, Inomata said, the structure was likely used for special events. People probably walked on raised paths and inside the rectangular structure. He said they left symbolic⁴ objects behind, such as jade⁵ axes.

I'm John Russell.

Words in This Story

rectangle – n. an object with four straight sides and four right angles, and opposite sides are of equal length

pyramid – n. a large structure built especially in ancient Egypt that has a square base and four triangular⁷ sides which form a point at the top

clay – n. a sticky, fine-grained material

three-dimensional – adj. having length, width, and depth

cattle – n. large animals grown for their meat; cows

ranch² – n. a large farm where cattle or other animals are raised

jade – n. a usually green stone that is used for jewelry⁸

axe⁶ – n. a tool that usually has a heavy metal blade and a long handle and that is used for chopping wood

1 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

2 ranch   

n.大牧场，大农场

参考例句：

• He went to work on a ranch.他去一个大农场干活。
• The ranch is in the middle of a large plateau.该牧场位于一个辽阔高原的中部。

3 ranches   

大农场， （兼种果树，养鸡等的）大牧场( ranch的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• They hauled feedlot manure from the ranches to fertilize their fields. 他们从牧场的饲养场拖走肥料去肥田。
• Many abandoned ranches are purchased or leased by other poultrymen. 许多被放弃的牧场会由其他家禽监主收买或租用。

4 symbolic   

adj.象征性的，符号的，象征主义的

参考例句：

• It is symbolic of the fighting spirit of modern womanhood.它象征着现代妇女的战斗精神。
• The Christian ceremony of baptism is a symbolic act.基督教的洗礼仪式是一种象征性的做法。

5 jade   

n.玉石；碧玉；翡翠

参考例句：

• The statue was carved out of jade.这座塑像是玉雕的。
• He presented us with a couple of jade lions.他送给我们一对玉狮子。

6 axe   

n.斧子；v.用斧头砍，削减

参考例句：

• Be careful with that sharp axe.那把斧子很锋利，你要当心。
• The edge of this axe has turned.这把斧子卷了刃了。

7 triangular   

adj.三角（形）的，三者间的

参考例句：

• It's more or less triangular plot of land.这块地略成三角形。
• One particular triangular relationship became the model of Simone's first novel.一段特殊的三角关系成了西蒙娜第一本小说的原型。

8 jewelry   

n.（jewllery）（总称）珠宝

参考例句：

• The burglars walked off with all my jewelry.夜盗偷走了我的全部珠宝。
• Jewelry and lace are mostly feminine belongings.珠宝和花边多数是女性用品。