5thCLASS_97_185_jg:Layout 1 5/3/12 17:48 Page 172


TheGreatWallof


China The Great Wall of China stretches for thousands of kilometres from China’s east coast to the Gobi desert in the northwest. Construction of the wall began about the year 200BC when the Emperor Qin decided to connect the different existing walls and fortifications within his empire. The project continued for over 1,700 years as emperor after emperor sought to improve China’s defences against outside attack. Hundreds of thousands of people were involved in the building. They received no payment and many died during construction, as rocks fell and sections of wall caved in. Some died from sheer exhaustion. It is regarded as one of the most impressive building projects in human history. The Chinese say that the wall resembles a huge dragon winding its way over the mountains.


ChichenItza In Chichen Itza, marvellous archaeological remains of the Mayan civilisation can be found. They were a highly sophisticated race of people who lived in Mexico before the time of Columbus. The site contains a wide range of buildings, the most famous of which is the step pyramid, called El Castillo. It was built about 1,000 years ago. In all there are 365 steps to the pyramid – one for every day of the year. The pyramid is 24 metres high with a six-metre temple on top dedicated to one of their gods, Feathered Serpent. Every spring, the sun’s rays going down the steps of the pyramid create a shadow that resembles a snake descending the steps! Other buildings in the site are a temple (the Temple of the Warriors), a large ball court and an observatory.


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