Engleză cls. a IX-a A 29.09.

2021

HOMEWORK 3 READING PRONUNCIATION

Exersaţi pronunţia textului de mai jos cu ajutorul
videoclipului pe care îl puteţi accesa în linkul
următor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=cnMa-Sm9H4k
The stone city of Machu Picchu is one of the most fascinating
archeological sites on the planet. Located northwest of Cuso, Peru, Machu
Picchu is a testament to the power and ingenuity of the Inca people. During its
prime, the Inca civilization stretched about 2500 miles along South America's
Pacific Coastline. From modern day Ecuador down into Chile. This distance is
nearly the horizontal width of the continental United States. Machu Picchu
located at the center of this once expansive empire is one of the few well-
preserved remnants of the Inca civilization.
Built around the mid 15th century, Machu Picchu is a stunning example of
the Inca's engineering feats. The Inca constructed Machu Picchu's palaces,
temples, terraces, and infrastructure using stone and without the help of wheels
or tools made of steel or iron. One particularly notable aspect of their
construction is foregoing the use of mortar, a material often used to bind stones
together. Nonetheless, the stones of Machu Picchu were cut so precisely that
they snugly fit together. Located on two fault lines Machu Picchu often
experiences earthquakes but because of the stones' exceptional cut and fit, they
bounce during tremors and then are able to easily fall back into position. These
engineering marvels have preserved Machu Picchu's remarkable condition for
over 500 years.
Machu Picchu's purpose is still a mystery to many archeologists. Some
theorize that it may have served as a ceremonial site, a military stronghold, or a
retreat for nobility. The site's geographic layout may be significant in another
Engleză cls. a IX-a A 29.09.2021

way. Many of both the manmade and natural structures appear to align with
astronomical events. But in the early 16th century, only about 100 years after it
was built, Machu Picchu was abandoned. And since the Inca had no written
language, no records exist to explain the exact purpose of the site.
Although local communities knew about Machu Picchu, the site remained
largely unknown to the outside world for hundreds of years. Spanish
conquistadors who invaded the Inca civilization in the 16th century never came
across the site. It wasn't until the early 20th century when Melchor Arteaga, a
local farmer debuted Machu Picchu to outsiders when he led Yale University
professor Hiram Bingham to the site. Bingham and successive explorers devoted
much of their academic careers to studying the archeological wonder.
Despite its enigmatic nature, Machu Picchu still stands as one of the
world's most important archeological sites. It is a testament to the power and
ingenuity of one of the largest empires in the Americas. In 1983, UNESCO
designated Machu Picchu as a world heritage site and today visitors from around
the world come to pay homage to this piece of history.