纪录片《文明》 第38期 创世纪的第二个瞬间（38）（在线收听）

The stairway we see today has been reconstructed,

我们今天看到的石阶已经过重建

but around it, we can see the chaos of the collapse.

但在它周围能看到垮塌造成的狼藉

The stairway was built as the Mayans were suffering a drought

石阶是在玛雅人经历一场

that would last decades,

持续数十年的旱灾时所修建

and the promise of rain

并且对雨水的承诺

had been a central plank of royal authority.

是支撑王族权威的核心

Shortly afterwards,

很快

the kingdom of Copan itself collapsed completely.

科潘王国彻底灭亡

All across the Mayan territories,

纵观玛雅属地

art and authority were out of step with reality.

艺术和权威与残酷的现实脱节

There was nothing grand or stately about starvation.

饥荒一点也不宏伟庄严

And the ordinary people of the Maya saw that their civilisation

玛雅平民看到他们的文明

had become a death trap and walked away,

成为了死亡陷阱 于是纷纷离开

left kings and cities and art behind.

丢下了国王 城市 和艺术

They went back to simpler lives in the surrounding forest.

他们又回到周围的森林里过着更简单的生活

And their descendants are still very much alive.

他们的后裔今天仍然活得很好