Aztecs 远古的回响 -- Aztecs帝国 8

The goddess's portrayed¹ as the decapitated figure, two great serpents representing streams of blood flow from her neck. For archaeologist Elizabeth Baquenano, a leading expert on Aztec sculpture, these images are keys to their way of life and death.

Blood, of course, is the essence of our body, is what makes us alive, and of course there is nothing more precious in ourselves than our blood. Blood was given to the gods in order for them to survive.

But how did they use blood in their rituals? A few yards from the ruins of the Great Pyramid lies one of the only covered spaces in this vast sacred complex. Only a building of real importance could have been sited so close to the heart of this precinct. The reason for its privileged position began to emerge once excavations² were carried out. Three distinct sections were uncovered, progressing in sacred significance. A portico³ opened into an outer hall where two sculpted⁴ warriors⁵ stood--Eagle Warriors. Archeologists believe that this was the temple of the Eagle Warriors. They wore beautiful eagle costumes, and were loved and rewarded by the rulers, just like the knights⁶ of a royal court.

The inner sanctum could only be entered by passing two terrifying figures. This is the god of death, Mictlantecuhtli, his protruding⁷ liver--an image of regeneration. These figures guarded the most sacred area of the temple, a four-sided patio⁸, decorated with four-petaled flowers.

In order to investigate the rituals that took place here, scientists are collaborating⁹ with archaeologist. Chemical analysis of samples from the plaster floor indicates the presence of a variety of substances.

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decapitate: v. 斩首
precinct: n. 区域，范围
portico: n. 门廊，圆柱
sanctum: n. 圣地
patio: n. 院子

1 portrayed   

v.画像( portray的过去式和过去分词 )；描述；描绘；描画

参考例句：

• Throughout the trial, he portrayed himself as the victim. 在审讯过程中，他始终把自己说成是受害者。
• The author portrayed his father as a vicious drunkard. 作者把他父亲描绘成一个可恶的酒鬼。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

2 excavations   

n.挖掘( excavation的名词复数 )；开凿；开凿的洞穴（或山路等）；（发掘出来的）古迹

参考例句：

• The excavations are open to the public. 发掘现场对公众开放。
• This year's excavations may reveal ancient artifacts. 今年的挖掘可能会发现史前古器物。 来自辞典例句

3 portico   

n.柱廊，门廊

参考例句：

• A large portico provides a suitably impressive entrance to the chapel.小教堂入口处宽敞的柱廊相当壮观。
• The gateway and its portico had openings all around.门洞两旁与廊子的周围都有窗棂。

4 sculpted   

adj.经雕塑的

参考例句：

• a display of animals sculpted in ice 冰雕动物展
• The ladies had their hair sculpted by the leading coiffeur of the day. 女士们的发型都是当代有名的理发师做的。

5 warriors   

武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• I like reading the stories ofancient warriors. 我喜欢读有关古代武士的故事。
• The warriors speared the man to death. 武士们把那个男子戳死了。

6 knights   

骑士； （中古时代的）武士( knight的名词复数 )； 骑士； 爵士； （国际象棋中）马

参考例句：

• stories of knights and fair maidens 关于骑士和美女的故事
• He wove a fascinating tale of knights in shining armour. 他编了一个穿着明亮盔甲的骑士的迷人故事。

7 protruding   

v.（使某物）伸出，（使某物）突出( protrude的现在分词 )；凸

参考例句：

• He hung his coat on a nail protruding from the wall. 他把上衣挂在凸出墙面的一根钉子上。
• There is a protruding shelf over a fireplace. 壁炉上方有个突出的架子。 来自辞典例句

8 patio   

n.庭院，平台

参考例句：

• Suddenly, the thought of my beautiful patio came to mind. I can be quiet out there,I thought.我又忽然想到家里漂亮的院子，我能够在这里宁静地呆会。
• They had a barbecue on their patio on Sunday.星期天他们在院子里进行烧烤。

9 collaborating   

合作( collaborate的现在分词 )； 勾结叛国

参考例句：

• Joe is collaborating on the work with a friend. 乔正与一位朋友合作做那件工作。
• He was not only learning from but also collaborating with Joseph Thomson. 他不仅是在跟约瑟福？汤姆逊学习，而且也是在和他合作。