Scientists Find Largest, Oldest-Known Mayan Structure
2020-06-08
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1Scientists have discovered the largest and oldest-known structure that was built by the ancient Mayan people.
2Large and shaped like a rectangle, the structure was built between 2,800 and 3,000 years ago in what is now the Mexican state of Tabasco.
3Unlike the large Mayan pyramids built some 1,500 years later, the newly discovered building was made with clay and earth.
4It was likely used for ceremonies, researchers say.
5Built near the Guatemalan border, the structure measured nearly 400 meters wide and nearly 1,400 meters long.
6It stood between 10 and 15 meters high. It had more volume -- the amount of space -- than Egypt's Great Pyramid of Giza.
7Researchers noted that there were no signs of statues of powerful or wealthy people.
8This suggests Mayan culture may have had more equality during this period.
9Takeshi Inomata, an archaeologist at the University of Arizona, led the research.
10The findings were published in the scientific journal Nature.
11Inomata said that because the structure is so large, "it just looks like natural landscape. But its form comes out nicely in lidar," he added.
12Lidar is short for Light Detection and Ranging, a method for measuring distances.
13It uses a laser and other information collected by flying over an area to create three-dimensional information about a surface's shape.
14Some parts of the site are currently covered with cattle ranches. Other parts have trees.
15But in ancient times, Inomata said, the structure was likely used for special events.
16People probably walked on raised paths and inside the rectangular structure.
17He said they left symbolic objects behind, such as jade axes.
18I'm John Russell.
1Scientists have discovered the largest and oldest-known structure that was built by the ancient Mayan people. 2Large and shaped like a rectangle, the structure was built between 2,800 and 3,000 years ago in what is now the Mexican state of Tabasco. 3Unlike the large Mayan pyramids built some 1,500 years later, the newly discovered building was made with clay and earth. It was likely used for ceremonies, researchers say. 4Built near the Guatemalan border, the structure measured nearly 400 meters wide and nearly 1,400 meters long. It stood between 10 and 15 meters high. It had more volume -- the amount of space -- than Egypt's Great Pyramid of Giza. 5Researchers noted that there were no signs of statues of powerful or wealthy people. This suggests Mayan culture may have had more equality during this period. 6Takeshi Inomata, an archaeologist at the University of Arizona, led the research. The findings were published in the scientific journal Nature. 7Inomata said that because the structure is so large, "it just looks like natural landscape. But its form comes out nicely in lidar," he added. 8Lidar is short for Light Detection and Ranging, a method for measuring distances. It uses a laser and other information collected by flying over an area to create three-dimensional information about a surface's shape. 9Some parts of the site are currently covered with cattle ranches. Other parts have trees. 10But in ancient times, Inomata said, the structure was likely used for special events. People probably walked on raised paths and inside the rectangular structure. He said they left symbolic objects behind, such as jade axes. 11I'm John Russell. 12Will Dunham reported on this story for the Reuters news agency. John Russell adapted it for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. 13_____________________________________________________________ 14Words in This Story 15rectangle - n. an object with four straight sides and four right angles, and opposite sides are of equal length 16pyramid - n. a large structure built especially in ancient Egypt that has a square base and four triangular sides which form a point at the top 17clay - n. a sticky, fine-grained material 18three-dimensional - adj. having length, width, and depth 19cattle - n. large animals grown for their meat; cows 20ranch - n. a large farm where cattle or other animals are raised 21jade - n. a usually green stone that is used for jewelry 22axe - n. a tool that usually has a heavy metal blade and a long handle and that is used for chopping wood