纪录片《大英博物馆世界简史》 070复活节岛雕像（5）

 

The statues were placed on specially¹ built platforms ranged along the coastline, a sacred geography reflecting the tribal² divisions of Rapa Nui. Moving these statues would have taken days, and a large workforce³. Hoa Hakananai'a would have stood on his platform with his giant stone companions in a formidable line, their backs to the sea, keeping watch over the island. These uncompromising ancestor figures must have made a haunting, and daunting⁴, vision to any potential invaders⁵, and a suitably imposing⁶ welcoming party to any visiting dignitaries. And they've been credited with a whole range of miracle-working powers. Here's the anthropologist⁷ and art historian Steve Hooper:

这些雕像被放置在沿海岸线特别修建的平台之上，其神圣的布局反映了拉帕努伊岛上的部落划分。移动这些雕像需要数天的时间和大量人手的通力合作。何瓦·何卡纳奈阿曾和同样巨型的石像伙伴们排成一条条庄严的线，立于基座之上，背朝大海凝视着这个岛屿。这种强悍的先祖形象一定会让那些意欲入侵的外敌胆寒，难以忘怀，而对来访的贵客则像是一种华丽的欢迎仪式。还有不少人认为它们是由某种神秘力量创造的。但人类学家与艺术历史学家史蒂文·霍伯认为：

 

1 specially   

adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地

参考例句：

• They are specially packaged so that they stack easily.它们经过特别包装以便于堆放。
• The machine was designed specially for demolishing old buildings.这种机器是专为拆毁旧楼房而设计的。

2 tribal   

adj.部族的，种族的

参考例句：

• He became skilled in several tribal lingoes.他精通几种部族的语言。
• The country was torn apart by fierce tribal hostilities.那个国家被部落间的激烈冲突弄得四分五裂。

3 workforce   

n.劳动大军，劳动力

参考例句：

• A large part of the workforce is employed in agriculture.劳动人口中一大部分受雇于农业。
• A quarter of the local workforce is unemployed.本地劳动力中有四分之一失业。

4 daunting   

adj.使人畏缩的

参考例句：

• They were faced with the daunting task of restoring the house.他们面临着修复房子的艰巨任务。
• Starting a new job can be a daunting prospect.开始一项新工作有时会让人望而却步。

5 invaders   

入侵者，侵略者，侵入物( invader的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• They prepared to repel the invaders. 他们准备赶走侵略军。
• The family has traced its ancestry to the Norman invaders. 这个家族将自己的世系追溯到诺曼征服者。

6 imposing   

adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的

参考例句：

• The fortress is an imposing building.这座城堡是一座宏伟的建筑。
• He has lost his imposing appearance.他已失去堂堂仪表。

7 anthropologist   

n.人类学家，人类学者

参考例句：

• The lecturer is an anthropologist.这位讲师是人类学家。
• The anthropologist unearthed the skull of an ancient human at the site.人类学家在这个遗址挖掘出那块古人类的颅骨。