Scientists discover a lost Mayan city using new technology

The Mayans used to have many settlements across South America. With new technology, archaeologists are finding more and more remnants of their civilisation.  

Words:

• A civilisation is a large group of people (or a society) that can be recognised by its unique organised structures, such as its culture, laws, buildings and cities, technology, and government.
• Archaeologists are scientists that specialise in finding and studying physical evidence of historical events, often by digging in the ground.
• Something that is distinctive can also easily be recognised because of distinct (unique) traits.
• To fade into obscurity is to disappear or be lost in history.
• Treasures and other valuable things are also called riches.
• An amphitheatre is an open-air theatre, or a space outside that’s used for entertainment.
• A plaza is a public area or building usually used for shopping or trading, like a marketplace.
• When something is described as lush, it means there are many plants, flowers, trees and other greenery.
• Ceramics are pots and other items made out of clay.

Video:

Watch the video until 00:55.

1.  Fill in the correct words in the paragraph below. 

Mayans – archaeologists – obscurity – jungle – civilisation – technology – distinctive 

The Mayan [ ] was known for [ ] buildings, but there aren’t many of them left as the Mayans faded into [ ] 300 years ago. Thanks to new [ ] such as radar, a new Mayan city was discovered in the [ ]. [ ] hope this will lead to new insights about how the [ ] lived. 

2. Are there any modern Mayan cities today? Explain your answer. 

3. You can see camera footage of the ruins of a Mayan city in this part of the video. Where was this footage filmed?

A: The UK

B: Guatemala

C: Mexico

D: Maya

Watch from 00:55 to 01:35.

4. What is Valeriana?

5. What used to happen in the building that is shown in the 3D-animation? Tick all the correct answers. 

A: It was used as a place of worship.

B: The Mayans held court cases here.

C: It was used a burial site.

D: The Mayans stored treasures here.

E: It was a battleground.

6. Match the number to the correct answer.

A: 7,000               1. The number of inhabitants that would have lived in the settlement.

B: 300                 2. The number of buildings expected to be in the site. 

C: 50,000           3. How many years ago the Mayan civilisation collapsed.

Watch 01:35 to the end of the video.

7. Name three words that expert Luke Auld-Thomas uses to describe what the ruins would have looked like when the Mayans were still living there. Then use one of these words in a sentence. 

Van de makers van All Right!, Of Course! en Taalblokken Engels