Some time ago, an interesting discovery was made by archaeologists on the Aegean island of Kea. An American team explored a temple which stands in an ancient city on the promontory of Ayia Irini. The city at one time must have been prosperous, for it enjoyed a high level of civilization. Houses – often three storeys high – were built of stone. They had large rooms with beautifully decorated walls. The city was equipped with a drainage system, for a great many clay pipes were found beneath the narrow streets.
The temple which the archaeologists explored was used as a place of worship from the fifteenth century BCE until Roman times. In the most sacred room of temple, clay fragments of fifteen statues were found. Each of these represented a goddess and had, at one time, been painted. The body of one statue was found among remains dating from the fifteenth century BCE. It’s missing head happened to be among remains of the fifth century BCE. This head must have been found in Classical times and carefully preserved. It was very old and precious even then. When the archaeologists reconstructed the fragments, they were amazed to find that the goddess turned out to be a very modern-looking woman. She stood three feet high and her hands rested on her hips. She was wearing a full-length skirt which swept the ground. Despite her great age, she was very graceful indeed, but, so far, the archaeologists have been unable to discover her identity.
Glossary
amazed- very surprised; astonished
BCE- before current era; the years before the birth of Jesus
despite- used to say that something happens or is true even though something else might have prevented it
discovery- a fact or thing that someone finds out about, when it was not known about before
drainage- the process or system by which water or waste liquid flows away
equipped with- provided with the things that are needed for a particular kind of activity or work
explore- to travel around an area in order to find out about it
fragment- a small piece of something that has broken off or that comes from something larger
graceful- moving in a smooth and attractive way, or having an attractive shape or form
identity- someone’s name and who they are
indeed- used to emphasize a statement or answer
precious- valuable and important
preserve- to save someone or something from being harmed or destroyed
promontory- a long narrow piece of land which sticks out into the sea
prosperous- rich and successful
reconstruct- to build something again after it has been destroyed or damaged
remains- the parts of something that are left after the rest has been destroyed or has disappeared
represent- to be a sign or mark that means something; to form or be something
rest- to support an object or part of body by putting it on or against something, or to be supported in this way
sacred- relating to a god or religion; very important or greatly respected
sweep- to move things from a surface with a brushing movement
temple- a building where people go to worship
turn out- to happen in a particular way, or to have a particular result, especially one that you did not expect
worship- the activity of praying or singing in a religious building in order to show respect and love for a god
Collocations
make a discovery
explore a temple
on the promontory of
enjoy a high level of civilization
three storeys high
built of stone
beautifully decorated
drainage system
equipped with a system
a great many
a place of worship
happen to be
carefully preserved
reconstruct fragments
be amazed to find
turn out to be
modern-looking
stand three feet high
your hands rest on your hips
a full-length skirt
her skirt sweeps the ground
despite her great age
discover her identity
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