A Valley of
Lost Cities
Pre-reading Questions:
Discuss these questions with a teacher or partner.
1. How do you think ancient cities compare to modern cities?
2. Have you ever visited or seen pictures of any ancient ruins?
If so, what was your impression?
1 Archaeologists have made a remarkable The main roads were notable, approximately
discovery deep within the Amazon rainforest, 10 meters wide, and extended for 10 to 19
revealing a collection of ancient cities that once kilometres.
thrived with a population of over 10,000 farmers
roughly 2,000 years ago. 4 Determining population numbers is
challenging, but according to a French
2 Initially discovered over twenty years ago, archaeologist, the site was home to a minimum
a collection of mounds made of earth of 10,000 inhabitants, potentially reaching up
and hidden pathways in Ecuador intrigued to 15,000 or even 30,000 at its peak. Another
researchers. They admitted they weren't sure archaeologist from the University of Florida
how important these discoveries were. However, remarked on the high population density and
recent improvements in laser-sensor technology complex social organisation at the site. He
have shed new light on these sites. They have noted that it stands out in the region for its early
exposed a sprawling network of settlements and development. It was evident that an elaborate
interconnected roads among the foothills of the system of organised labour was required to build
Andes Mountain. the roads and thousands of mounds.
3 The researchers found that the Upano people 5 Archaeologists note that despite the
lived in these settlements from about 500 common perception of the Amazon as
B.C. to 300 to 600 A.D., around the same time as an untouched wilderness with few human
the Roman Empire in Europe. In this region, they inhabitants, recent discoveries show a more
built homes and ceremonial structures on over complex past. Additionally, researchers have
6,000 mounds of earth, surrounded by fields for revealed proof of sophisticated civilisations living
farming, which featured intricate drainage canals. in the Amazon rainforest before European arrival.
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A Valley of Lost Cities
Activity 1
From each paragraph, find a word or phrase that means…
Par 1 grow, develop, and become successful.
Par 2 to provide information about something or to make something easier to understand.
Par 3 having a lot of small parts and details that are arranged in a complicated way.
Par 4 the point at which something is at its strongest, most successful, or highest.
Par 5 Par 5 the society, culture, and way of life of a particular area.
Activity 2
Are the following statements true or false? If the statement is false, write the correct answer.
Complete each sentence with the correct form of the verbs in brackets using the present perfect continuous
tense.
1. The discovered ancient cities in the Amazon rainforest had a population of over T F
2,000 farmers roughly 10,000 years ago.
2. Recent advancements in laser-sensor technology have not contributed to T F
understanding Ecuador's ancient sites.
3. The Upano people lived in the settlements from about 500 B.C. to 300 to 600 A.D., T F
approximately coinciding with the time of the Roman Empire in Europe.
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A Valley of Lost Cities
4. According to a French archaeologist, the site had a maximum population of 30,000 T F
inhabitants at its peak.
5. Recent findings show that there were no people living in the Amazon rainforest T F
before European arrival.
Activity 3
Comprehension Questions
1. What is the estimated minimum population of the site according to the French archaeologist?
2. What features surrounded the homes and ceremonial structures built by the Upano people?
3. What did researchers reveal about the common perception of the Amazon and its inhabitants?
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A Valley of Lost Cities
Activity 4
Writing Questions
1. Do you think it’s important to learn about ancient civilisations? Why or why not?
2. What questions would you ask about the lives of the people who lived in these ancient cities?
3. Do you believe the discovery of ancient civilisations in the Amazon should prompt further exploration and
research in other remote areas around the world? Why or why not?
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A Valley of Lost Cities
Answers
Activity 1
Par 1: thrive(d)
Par 2: shed new light on
Par 3: intricate
Par 4: at its peak
Par 5: civilisation
Activity 2
1. F – The discovered ancient cities in the Amazon rainforest had a population of over 10,000 farmers
roughly 2,000 years ago.
2. F – Recent improvements in laser-sensor technology have shed new light on these sites.
3. T
4. T
5. F – Researchers have revealed proof of sophisticated civilisations living in the Amazon rainforest
before European arrival.
Activity 3
1. The French archaeologist estimated a minimum of 10,000 inhabitants.
2. The homes and ceremonial structures built by the Upano people were surrounded by fields for farming,
which featured intricate drainage canals.
3. Recent discoveries show a more complex past than the common perception of the Amazon as an
untouched wilderness with few human inhabitants.
Activity 4
Students’ own answers.
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