Английский язык. 11 класс (О. В. Афанасьева и др.)
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Unit Three 1. Chichen Itza. Recently voted as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, the ruins of Chichen Itza lie about midway between Cancun and Merida, so that the journey from each city takes around two or three hours via the toll highway. Chichen Itza is the most visited site in the Yucatan. It has been widely studied, and excavated and restored more than any of the other Mayan cities. Yet its history is still clouded in mystery and there are many contradicting theories and legends. It is clear that a large Mayan community thrived here between around 700 AD and 900 AD, and built most of the structures in the southern area. The main buildings in the central area include the Pyramid of Kukulkán, the Temple of the Warriors and the Great Ball Court. The Pyramid of Kukulkán towering above the other buildings at 79 feet (24 m) high has a structured feel about it. Two of its sides have been completely restored, the other two were left to show the condition before work commenced. Each side had originally 91 steps, adding the platform at the top as a final step, there are 365 in total, one for every day of the year. Further evidence that this building was linked to the Mayan interests of astronomy and the calendar is demonstrated at the spring and autumn equinox. On these days the shadow of the sun playing on the stairs causes the illusion of a snake processing down the pyramid in the direction of the cenote. (A cenote is a sinkhole in the limestone bed, accessing an underwater river. These cenotes were very important to the Mayans as their main source of water and had great religious significance.) Naturally, it’s an impressive sight, and there are usually thousands of people on the site at these times. It’s quite a climb to the top, but once you’re there you’ll have a terrific view of the rest of the ruins. жүктеу/скачать 0,65 Mb. Достарыңызбен бөлісу:
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