https://padlet.com/wxxedu/23l0r446zcop The First Lights of Civilization en-us 2018-09-20 12:59:58 UTC 2024-07-15 11:35:39 UTC hello@padlet.com wxxedu https://padlet.com/wxxedu/23l0r446zcop/wish/283887478 It's hard to describe the feelings of first seeing the pictures of lost cities. It is through the scattered pieces and green grass on them that we become amazed by the greatness of humanity and the power of time. So, now, let's get started and travel to see these highly civilized ancient cities, and to find out their similarities and differences.]]> 2018-09-20 13:21:32 UTC https://padlet.com/wxxedu/23l0r446zcop/wish/283887478 wxxedu https://padlet.com/wxxedu/23l0r446zcop/wish/283891985 “世界十大失落古城，它们为什么会突然不见了呢.”  1 Mar. 2018, www.sohu.com/a/224659442_390549.
UNESCO World Heritage Centre. “Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.” UNESCO World Heritage Centre, whc.unesco.org/en/list/274.
UNESCO World Heritage Centre. “Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.” UNESCO World Heritage Centre, whc.unesco.org/en/list/274.
“The Kingdom of Kroraina.” Guild Folkvangr Wikia, guildfolkvangr.wikia.com/wiki/The_Kingdom_of_Kroraina.]]> 2018-09-20 13:28:47 UTC https://padlet.com/wxxedu/23l0r446zcop/wish/283891985 wxxedu https://padlet.com/wxxedu/23l0r446zcop/wish/283898113  Standing 2,430 m above sea-level, it is probably the highest sight of ancient civilization that we can observe. 
This site is of great architectural values, for it has giant wall, terraces(露台), and ramps(坡道) which seem as if they have been cut naturally in the continuous rock escarpments(悬崖).
In this ancient city we get to see many interesting things. With more than 200 structures, it is divided into two parts. The upper part is used for residence while the lower one for farming. It also have very complexed structures that we see in modern cities. It has a main center and numerous subsidiary(次要的，附属的) centers. It also has extensive road and trail(小径) system. It also has irrigation(灌溉) canals(运河，道) and agricultural terraces(梯田) that can withstand longtime use.
However, this amazing site had not been known to the public until an archeology team discovered it in 1911. It must have been lying there peacefully for centuries without any human interruption.]]> 2018-09-20 13:37:50 UTC https://padlet.com/wxxedu/23l0r446zcop/wish/283898113 wxxedu https://padlet.com/wxxedu/23l0r446zcop/wish/283900083 Located in Mexico, this sacred site was one of greatest Mayan centers in Classical times. You can find Mayan's understanding of the world and the universe through it's architecture.
To dive a bit deeper on this subject, you will find that it's not proper to call this a city, for it was intended to be used as a place of worship in its nearly 1000 years of life. 
In the southern part of this city locates a circular observatory that was used for studying the stars. And it's called Caracol(螺旋楼梯) which means spiral staircases for it has a many of them. 
In the northern part of this city, a temple called El Castillo(卡斯蒂略金字塔) is located, and around which the the main monuments like Great Ball Court(主球场), Tzompantli(骷髅头神庙), and the Jaguar Temple(美洲虎神庙) can be found. 
It's great to see this great city of worship, as it shows us the Maya Civilization. And, to add more information to it, it has a history of over 1000 years and was not excavated in 1841.]]> 2018-09-20 13:40:40 UTC https://padlet.com/wxxedu/23l0r446zcop/wish/283900083 wxxedu https://padlet.com/wxxedu/23l0r446zcop/wish/283902015 This site is quite familiar to many Chinese, as it locates in China. It used to be the territory of an ancient kingdom between 176 BC and 630 AD. The location used to be an oasis and near the famous silky road, however, as the water dried out, this city became abandoned.
This city was indeed very prosperous, and it had indeed a very high level based on trade.
It used to be a site of a great many artifacts, however, since it's first discovered by a Sweeden explorer named Sven Hedin, many of the artifacts were transported abroad. These artifacts are very precious, for you can see handwritten Strategies of the Warring States among them, and this copy was written only 105 years after the invention of paper by Tsai Lun and more than 700 hundred years earlier than papers being invented in the Europe. However, you can still see the remains of the city walls, two temples and some graveyards in this site.
Unbelievable as it may ever seem, it is open to the public! With a ticket of 3000 yuan per entry and only very little remains to explore, it is probably the most expensive and unworthy site in China on paper. But I think that it's still a site that I am really looking forward to visit.

]]> 2018-09-20 13:43:12 UTC https://padlet.com/wxxedu/23l0r446zcop/wish/283902015 wxxedu https://padlet.com/wxxedu/23l0r446zcop/wish/283908184 It is such an enjoyable journey for me to take a closer look at these three ancient cities. 
In the lost city of Machu Picchu, we see the functional use being put into the first place. I could help feeling amazed at the structures that the ancient people did, especially on so high a mountain.
The lost city of Chichen Itza, however, is built for religious reasons, and therefore, we get to take a brief look at Maya civilization and their advanced astronomy. 
In Kroraina, we can take a glimpse at the silky road and how prosperous it was. And it's amazing to find that our ancestors excelled so much at that time.]]> 2018-09-20 13:51:00 UTC https://padlet.com/wxxedu/23l0r446zcop/wish/283908184