MYSTERIOUS PLACES
Shrouded in mystery, there are structures from the ancient world that still defy
explanation.
Here, four people talk about visiting some of the world’s most intriguing sites.
Easter island Why? Then, there's the mysterious
A / Anna fact that on one level of the pyramid,
food does not decompose and dull
"Easter Island is a faraway place I'd razor blades become sharp again. The
heard about but never thought I'd get the accuracy of the pyramid's
chance to visit. Then, in 2010, I came workmanship is such that its base is
into some money so I decided to go. almost completely level — it varies
What an experience! At 2,000 miles off less than 15 mm in height over 13
Chile's coast it is one of the most isolated acres! How did an ancient civilisation
places on Earth. I travelled there to see achieve such accuracy when
the mysterious giant stone monoliths, architects today can't even do so?
known as Moai, that dot the island's Some people believe the Great
coastline. There are over 800 of these Pyramid was a structure for gathering,
statues, the largest weighing over 80 amplifying and focusing a mysterious
tonnes. There are many theories about energy field. Whatever its purpose,
what the statues represent and why they seeing it raises more questions than
were constructed, but no one really answers".
knows who put them there and why.
Some think the statues the ancestors of
the were put up to honour the ancestors
of the island's ancient inhabitants. Stonehenge, Britain
Personally, I think they were put up to D / Laura
guard them. Standing in the presence of
the statues is a surreal experience. "Visiting Stonehenge had long been a
Easter Island is one of the few places I've goal of mine and on my last trip to
been to that I dream about. It didn't just England I finally managed it. When I
live up to my expectations; it exceeded was finally confronted by the sight of
them". these famous huge stones I was
speechless and walking around them
provoked some very strange feelings
in me. I could sense these stones are
Nazca Lines, Peru very important and Stonehenge has
B / Steve some mysterious meaning. If only we
could discover what it is! All we know
"Why in the world would an ancient for certain is Stonehenge is over 5,000
civilisation have spent years in the years old, was constructed in stages
middle of the desert creating long lines and many of its stones come from
and giant symbols, whose patterns are mountains in Wales, more than 240
clearly visible only from the air? This is miles away. How did they accomplish
the mystery that has puzzled researchers such a feat? Stonehenge seems to
for years. The “Nazca Lines” which are taunt us with its mystery. The stones
located in the Nazca Desert in Peru, are set up to align perfectly with the
depict hundreds of different figures midsummer sunrise. Was Stonehenge
including sharks, monkeys and spiders. a temple, a burial ground, an
The pictures are believed to have been astronomical calendar or a healing
created between 400 and 650 AD, but site? Somehow I doubt Stonehenge
why? Scholars have said the lines may will ever give up its secrets."
have represented constellations or have
had religious significance. More wild
theories say the lines were created by
aliens and were landing strips for their For questions 1-10 choose from
aircraft. Personally, I think that’s going the people A – D.
too far! But seeing the drawings, I
definitely couldn't stop wondering how The people may be chosen more
on Earth ancient people could have than once.
created such massive works of art
without the ability of flight to see what
they were creating.”
Which person says:
they had been intending to visit the
Great Pyramids of Giza, Egypt place for quite some time before they
C / John did? 1…………
"Nothing prepares you for the sense of you can't fully appreciate the place
wonder and complete awe you feel the until you visit it?2 …………
moment you set eyes on the Great
Pyramid of Giza. The sheer size of the they think certain speculations about
structure alone had me shaking my head the place are very unlikely?3 …………
in disbelief. To this day, no one knows
how 5,000 years ago, people living along they often recall their visit to the
the Nile were able to move over 2 million place? 4…………
stone blocks weighing up to 15 tonnes to
whoever constructed the place was
a nearly 500-foot summit. But that's not
more technologically advanced than
all that will make your jaw drop. Whoever
us? 5…………
built it encoded geographical,
mathematical and astronomical the place is best seen from a special
information into its structure. How they vantage point?6 …………
had the knowledge to do this and why
they did it is a complete mystery. For they don't think the true meaning of
example, the pyramid's four sides are the place will ever be discovered?
perfectly aligned to true north, south, 7…………
east and west.
unusual things happen at the place?
8…………
it was due to luck they were able to
visit the place? 9…………
they have their own theory about the
place's purpose?10 …………
