History: Archeological Discoveries 1

– Machu Pichu –

“In 1911, the enigmatic city of Machu Picchu was revealed to the world by American historian and explorer Hiram Bingham. Nestled within the verdant Andes Mountains of Peru, this ancient Incan citadel remained shrouded in obscurity for centuries, escaping the clutches of marauding Spanish conquistadors. The impeccable masonry and architectural ingenuity of Machu Picchu epitomize the zenith of the Incan civilization.

Machu Picchu comprises an intricate network of approximately 200 buildings, encompassing temples, plazas, and agricultural terraces. The structures are constructed from enormous blocks of granite, deftly carved and positioned without mortar.

Astoundingly, the meticulous precision in craftsmanship renders the walls resilient to seismic tremors, a pragmatic attribute given the region’s propensity for earthquakes.

The city’s enigmatic purpose is a subject of scholarly debate. Hypotheses range from a royal retreat for Incan emperors, to an astronomical observatory, or even a military stronghold. Nonetheless, Machu Picchu stands as a resplendent testament to the sophistication and prowess of ancient Andean culture.”

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO words from the text for each answer.

Hiram Bingham is credited with unveiling the ______ city of Machu Picchu to the global community in 1911.
Situated in the lush Andes Mountains, Machu Picchu eluded the grasp of Spanish ______ for centuries.
The city’s construction showcases the apogee of Incan ______ and stone-working skills.
Machu Picchu consists of nearly 200 structures, including religious _____ and open squares.
The buildings are made from large stone blocks, which are expertly shaped and placed _______ any binding material.
The true function of Machu Picchu continues to be ______, with theories suggesting it could have been a regal estate, an observatory, or a fortress.

Choose NO MORE THAN ONE word from the text for each answer.

In 1911, the cryptic settlement of Machu Picchu was disclosed to the international domain by Hiram Bingham, an American chronicler and adventurer. Concealed amidst the luxuriant Andes range in Peru, this age-old Incan fortress evaded the ravages of Spanish ________. Machu Picchu represents the pinnacle of Incan architecture and features nearly 200 edifices, inclusive of sanctuaries, ________ spaces, and cultivation tiers. These structures were ________ with large fragments of granite that were adeptly hewn and aligned sans adhesive. This scrupulous assembly technique fortifies the constructions against tremors, which is a ________ trait, considering the area’s susceptibility to earthquakes.

Vocabulary Builder

Find the synonyms (words with the same or similar meaning) to these 9 words from the original passage.

Original Word	Variants Used
revealed	___________________ / __________________
city	___________________ / __________________
historian	___________________ / __________________
explorer	___________________
mountains	___________________
ancient	___________________
buildings	___________________ / __________________
agricultural	___________________
earthquakes	___________________

Reveal answer (6 More Words)

Original Word	Variants Used
revealed	unveiled, disclosed
city	settlement, citadel
historian	chronicler
explorer	adventurer
mountains	range
ancient	age-old
buildings	edifices, structures
agricultural	cultivation
earthquakes	tremors