生成一个科普视频---**Textual Information:** * **Category Label:** HISTORY * **Author Credit:** WORDS AILSA HARVEY * **Main Title:** LOST CIVILISATIONS * **Subtitle/Explanation:** Why these once-powerful nations disappeared, leaving abandoned artefacts and remarkable ruins to tell tales of their reign. * **Copyright/Source Annotation:** © Adobe Stock/A. generated **Chart/Diagram Description:** * **Type:** Illustration/Artwork * **Main Elements:** * **Central Structure:** A large, multi-tiered stone pyramid-like structure resembling a Mesoamerican temple ruin is prominent in the upper center. It has steps leading up the front face and decorative carvings on its surfaces. * **Sky:** An intense orange and yellow sky with stylized clouds or sunrays dominates the background. A large, bright circular shape, likely representing the sun or moon, is visible in the upper portion. * **Birds:** Two large birds of prey (eagles or hawks) are depicted in flight in the upper part of the image, one on the left and one on the right, with wings spread. * **Foreground:** The lower part of the image shows a group of people (human figures) in the foreground, facing away from the viewer towards the temple and the light source. They are depicted wearing robes or draped clothing. The ground appears somewhat barren or dry with sparse vegetation. * **Vegetation:** Green foliage, including palm trees or similar tropical trees, is visible on the left and right sides, framing the central structure and the sky. Dark green, large-leafed plants are also in the immediate foreground among the people. * **Overall Composition:** The image has a strong central focus on the ruined temple. The perspective places the viewer (and the figures in the foreground) looking up towards the structure against a dramatic sky. The overall mood is evocative, suggesting ancient mystery and decline. DID YOU KNOW? Ancient Sumer's rulers included one female monarch who took the throne in 2500 BCE SCRIBES OF SUMER Ancient Sumer (modern-day southern Iraq) was one of the world's earliest civilisations. The Sumerians lived between 5300 and 1940 BCE and were the first people to invent written language, called cuneiform. Cuneiform was produced by making marks in wet clay, using reeds as early pens. The region of Sumer consisted of multiple cities, each with its own ruler. In these cities were some of the world's first schools. There's also evidence that the Sumerians were the first to divide the day into 12-hour periods, followed by minutes and seconds. LOCATION: Circular map showing the Middle East region, highlighting Mesopotamia. WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM? (Sumer) The demise of Ancient Sumer was caused by conflict between city-state rulers, combined with climate factors that impacted their agriculture. Periods of flooding meant cities couldn't provide enough crops to sustain them. As a result, the Sumerians were weakened when another ancient civilisation - the Elamites of modern-day Iran - invaded Sumer, initiating a brutal war and claiming Sumerian territory. This included pillaging the Sumerian capital of Ur, causing the decline of the civilisation. Image Description: A Sumerian clay tablet displaying the wedge-shaped symbols of cuneiform writing. Image Description: Ruins of a Minoan settlement showing where the walls of a palace were built. Did you know? Minoan palaces had plumbing, including running water MIGHTY MINOANS The Minoans existed on the island of Crete during the Bronze Age, between 3500 and 1100 BCE. It was one of the world's earliest civilisations and Europe's first. They developed a powerful navy and created impressive displays of art and architecture, which was rare for the time. This included painted pottery called Kamáres ware, which was connected to palace culture on the island. Some surviving archaeological evidence of this artwork includes spouted jars, ridged cups and storage containers featuring abstract patterns. Besides their artistic flair, Minoan life included fishing along the coast and trading agricultural produce for metals and other resources the Minoans couldn't produce on their island. WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM? (Minoans) The eruption of the nearby volcano, Mount Thera, is largely blamed for the collapse of Minoan civilisation. The volcano lies just 62 miles from Crete, and 50 years after its eruption, the Minoans were gone. Historians don't all agree that this was the cause of their decline, but a large eruption so close to the Minoans would have devastated the island with tsunamis, while sulphur dioxide released by the volcano could have produced acid rain, poisoning soil and destroying crops. ANCIENT CRETE What evidence of Minoan life was left behind on their home island? Description of Evidence Points: 1 LUXURY PALACES: Minoan palaces were colourful, often with painted scenes of nature. 2 COUNTRY HOUSES: These were smaller than the palaces, owned by wealthy families in rural areas who likely managed trade and agriculture. 3 TOMBS: Many Minoan generations were buried inside tholi and chamber tombs. Chamber tombs had an entrance and chamber, while tholi were larger and circular. 4 SACRED CAVES: Minoans used sacred caves for religious rituals and burials. Psychro Cave is linked to the birth of Zeus in Greek mythology. 5 MOUNTAIN SANCTUARIES: Communal gatherings took place at these religious sites and often included offerings to the gods. Chart Description: Type: Geographic map of the island of Crete with marked locations. Main Elements: - Shows topography of Crete (mountains, plains). - Displays numbered squares (1-5) corresponding to the described evidence points. - Displays coloured symbols representing different types of sites: - Red circles (PALACE SITES) - Blue circles (COUNTRY HOUSES) - Black circles (TOMBS / SETTLEMENTS) - Purple stars (SACRED CAVES) - Red triangles (MOUNTAIN SANCTUARIES) - These symbols and numbers are plotted at various locations across the island. KEY: PALACE SITES (Red circle) COUNTRY HOUSES (Blue circle) TOMBS / SETTLEMENTS (Black circle) SACRED CAVES (Purple star) MOUNTAIN SANCTUARIES (Red triangle) Copyright: © Shutterstock / Alamy **Textual Information:** **HISTORY** **ANCIENT AZTECS** The Aztec civilisation formed a large empire in central Mexico between 1325 and 1521 CE. The capital city of Tenochtitlan was derived from the Aztec name Tenochca and existed where modern-day Mexico City is now. At the height of Aztec rule, this city was home to more than 140,000 people. Aztecs mainly survived on a diet of vegetables and beans. The people created a calendar like today's, which had 365 days and had similarities such as four seasons, split into months and weeks. **WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM?** The end of Aztec civilisation began during the Battle of Tenochtitlan, between 22 May and 13 August 1521. Spanish and Portuguese colonisers, the conquistadors, fought the Aztecs and conquered the land. Led by Hernán Cortés, the conquistadors carried out their attack over the course of two months. During this time, their advanced weaponry took out much of the Aztec population. A contributing factor to the colonisers' success was that they brought with them the infectious disease smallpox, which the Aztecs had no immunity to. This disease killed more of the population than the conquistadors did, providing an easy conquest for the invaders. **TENOCHTITLAN, THE AZTEC CAPITAL** How the Aztecs lived on islands spread across Mexico's Lake Texcoco **Chart/Diagram Description:** The image contains three main visual components: a historical illustration, a map, and a detailed illustration of the city center, along with accompanying text descriptions. **1. Historical Illustration:** * Type: 19th-century illustration. * Main Elements: Depicts "The conquest of Tenochtitlan". Shows a causeway or bridge leading to buildings (pyramids, structures) on an island. Soldiers (presumably conquistadors) on horseback and foot are shown attacking across the causeway. Some figures appear to be fleeing or fighting. Bodies of water are visible around the island and causeway. Hills or mountains are in the background. **2. Map of Lake Texcoco and Tenochtitlan:** * Type: Historical map/illustration. * Main Elements: Shows a large lake labeled "LAGO". The lake is divided into sections: "LAGO DOLCE" (Freshwater Lake) and "SALSO" (Saltwater). The city of "MEXICO" (Tenochtitlan) is depicted on islands in the lake. Several causeways connect the city to the surrounding land, labeled "LEVANTE" (East) and "PONENTE" (West). Various smaller towns or settlements are shown around the lake (e.g., Caloacan, Mezquique, Suchmilco, Calmacan). The map features numbered labels (1, 2, 3, 4) pointing to specific features. A circular inset map in the top right is labeled "LOCATION" and shows a topographical map of central Mexico, highlighting the location of the lakes with a dashed purple line. **Map Key/Descriptions:** * **1 DAM DIVIDES:** A system of dams was built to separate the salt water of Lago Salso from the freshwater of Lago Dolce. (Arrow points to a structure dividing the lake) * **2 CHINAMPAS:** Chinampas were floating gardens that were used as artificial agricultural platforms for growing food. (Arrow points to areas along the edge of the lake) * **3 CALZADAS:** Causeways with bridges built into them provided pathways between Tenochtitlan and the surrounding land, but allowed small boats to pass through. (Arrow points to one of the causeways leading to the city) * **4 CAPITAL ISLAND:** Tenochtitlan was built on two small islands in the centre of the lake, which were artificially expanded to make room for the city. (Arrow points to the main island area of the city) **3. Detailed Illustration of City Center:** * Type: Detailed illustration/diagram of the city center structures. * Main Elements: Shows various buildings and courtyards on a large platform or island. Prominent structures include multi-tiered pyramids, rectangular buildings, and open areas. The illustration features numbered labels (5, 6, 7, 8, 9) pointing to specific structures. **City Center Key/Descriptions:** * **5 TEMPLO MAYOR:** This was the main temple of Tenochtitlan, with two shrines on top dedicated to the gods Huitzilōpōchtli and Tlāloc. Ceremonies were performed and human sacrifices were made here. (Arrow points to the largest, central pyramid with two shrines) * **6 TEMPLE OF QUETZALCOATL:** This temple had a conical top to represent swirling wind and honour Ehecatl, the god of wind. (Arrow points to a circular temple with a conical roof) * **7 SKULL OSSUARY:** This display of spears was used to hold the skulls of war captives. (Arrow points to a rectangular structure with rows of poles/spears) * **8 TEMPLE OF THE SUN:** Inside this temple, the solar calendar was held. Two of its sides were built to align with sunrise and sunset on specific dates. (Arrow points to a rectangular temple structure) * **9 ISLAND MATERIALS:** Tenochtitlan was built from mud, limestone and recovered stones. (Arrow points to a pyramid structure, likely indicating construction materials used) **DID YOU KNOW?** The Aztecs chose the site of Tenochtitlan when an eagle landed on a cactus, which they believed was a sign from god **PEACE-MAKING HITTITES** **Main Text:** The Hittites were a people who lived and formed an empire in Anatolia (modern-day Turkey) from the years 1600 to 1180 BCE. During this time, they were in a near-constant state of war with the Egyptians for dominion over eastern Mediterranean lands. As a result of unresolved conflict, Hittite king Hattušili III and Egyptian Pharaoh Ramesses II signed the oldest-known peace treaty. The treaty was signed into a clay tablet around 1269 BCE. The Hittites are also famous for being the first people to smelt iron and use the metal to construct weapons and armour. The iron was mined from the Black Sea region and needed to be fired in a forge for hammering into new shapes. The result was stronger and harder tools than widely used bronze, which could be hammered when cold. **WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM?** The Hittites were hit hard by a drought that continued for three years around 1198 BCE. After two years of drought, the civilisation began to struggle significantly due to the lack of food and water. But after three years, the drought had the power to wipe out the entire Hittite population. Aside from the famine and malnutrition caused by drought, food shortages likely caused social tension and led to conflict that could have contributed to their demise. **Chart/Diagram Description (Hittites):** * **Type:** Circular map. * **Main Elements:** Earth map centered on the Mediterranean Sea region. A dashed purple circle indicates the approximate location of the Hittite empire in Anatolia (modern-day Turkey). The Black Sea is visible to the north, the Mediterranean Sea to the south, and landmasses of Europe, Asia Minor, the Middle East, and parts of North Africa are shown. * **Labels:** "LOCATION" above the map. **Other Relevant Text (Hittites):** * Caption below clay tablet image: The remains of the world's first known peace treaty between Hattušili III and Ramesses II **LONG-LIVED MAYA** **Main Text:** Between 2000 BCE and 1600 CE, the Maya civilisation spread across Central America and Southern Mexico. This makes it the longest lived civilisation in Mesoamerica – the historical region that spanned from southern North America to the Pacific coast of Central America. The early Maya formed settlements that relied on food from corn, bean, squash and cassava plants. The Maya are most famous for their calendar, which was invented by the 5th century at the latest. The calendar consists of separate calendars. These are the Tzolk'in (divine calendar), the Haab (civil calendar) and the Long Count. The Haab is a 365-day calendar divided into 18 months of 20 days, while the Tzolk'in is a 260-day calendar used to track religious events. The Long Count is an astronomical calendar, tracking periods of 2,880,000 days. All three demonstrate a complex civilisation, holding multiple factors of importance. **Did you know?** The Aztecs invented chocolate **WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM?** Historians can't pinpoint one factor that caused the collapse of this sophisticated civilisation. Some of the potential triggers include a combination of changes in climate to periods of drought, overpopulation of Maya cities, changes to trade routes and the Spanish invasion in the 1500s that took down the final surviving Maya city. **Chart/Diagram Description (Maya):** * **Type:** Circular map. * **Main Elements:** Earth map centered on Central America/Mesoamerica. A dashed purple circle indicates the approximate location of the Maya civilisation in southern Mexico and Central America. Parts of North America and South America, the Caribbean Sea, and the Pacific Ocean are visible. * **Labels:** "LOCATION" above the map. **Other Relevant Text (Maya):** * Caption below carved stone image: An intricate Maya calendar, carved into a stone tablet * Watermark on the right side: © Alamy / Shutterstock **HISTORY** **FAIR INCA** Between 1400 and 1533 CE, the Inca Empire dominated Peru. It was the largest empire in the world at the time, and its people had become masterful at inhabiting diverse landscapes that ranged from tropical jungles to mountainous peaks and dry deserts. As the Inca Empire grew, those in the region who could speak the Incan language of Quechua were given roles of higher status within the empire. However, one part of Inca culture that promoted fairness was a concept named 'ayni'. This word translates from Quechua to mean 'today for you, tomorrow for me' and inspired the Inca to give in order to receive. This archaeological site in Cusco province shows how land was altered for farming. **WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM?** A combination of disease and war led to the defeat of the Inca. When the Spanish army invaded Central America, they carried new diseases that the Inca had no immunity to. Within a decade, between 50 and 90 per cent of the Inca population was affected by smallpox, measles, chicken pox, influenza, diphtheria and typhus. Influenza and smallpox in particular devastated the population and the efficiency of Inca communities. With fewer healthy workers, agricultural production and the maintenance of city infrastructure was greatly reduced. **LOCATION** [Circular diagram showing South America with Peru highlighted. Label: Equator] **INCA ARCHITECTURE AND AGRICULTURE** Explore the features of the Inca citadel, Machu Picchu **Did you know?** The Inca had a mostly vegan diet [Image of Machu Picchu] 1. **AGRICULTURAL TERRACES** The Inca carved steps into sloped land to create flat surfaces for growing crops. 2. **MAIN PLAZA** At the centre of the community, this open space was used for ceremonies and gatherings. 3. **TEMPLE OF THE SUN** This was dedicated to the Sun god and lines up with the winter solstice sunrise. 4. **INTIHUATANA** On this stone are markings of astronomical events, serving as a calendar. 5. **RESIDENTIAL AREA** Alongside the Inca emperor, nobles, priests and workers lived in Machu Picchu. **General Information:** DID YOU KNOW? Today in Mexico, 5 million people speak 70 Mayan languages **Section 1: TIWANAKU'S STONE STATUES** **Textual Information:** **TIWANAKU'S STONE STATUES** The Tiwanaku civilisation thrived at the end of the first millennium, existing between the years 500 and 1000 CE. Its people lived in Bolivia, at the south side of Lake Titicaca. Archaeological evidence left from their time shows the Tiwanaku people were highly skilled in stone-carving. Many Tiwanaku stone statues have been preserved, some as tall as seven metres. Around 20,000 people lived in the city of Tiwanaku, with the larger houses and extravagant carved palaces at the centre and poorer residents on the outskirts. **WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM?** Tiwanaku was abandoned after drought made the land uninhabitable. The Inca stumbled across the city some 200 years after Tiwanaku's decline. Inca people believed the statues were the remains of giants that the god Viracocha had created before people existed. **Image Description:** * **Type:** Photograph of ancient ruins and a large stone statue, accompanied by a map. * **Main Elements:** * **Photograph:** Shows a large, carved stone statue standing upright in the foreground, made of reddish-brown stone. It appears anthropomorphic with carved details on its body. Behind the statue, there are visible layers of stone steps or walls leading up a gentle slope. The ground is dry and covered in sparse vegetation. In the background, there is a low hill. White posts and rope cordon off the area around the statue. * **Caption:** "This Tiwanaku statues remains standing" is placed near the top right of the photograph. * **Map:** Circular inset map labeled "LOCATION". It is a globe view showing South America, centered roughly on Bolivia and Peru. A dashed purple circle highlights the area around Lake Titicaca. The equator is indicated by a dashed line. **Section 2: KHMER BUILDERS** **Textual Information:** **KHMER BUILDERS** From 802 to 1431 CE, the Khmer Empire of Southeast Asia ruled the land that today forms Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. The Khmer legacy largely centres around its builders. In particular, the construction of the temple Angkor Wat is still marvelled at today. This civilisation was greatly influenced by Hinduism and Buddhism, and so many of their temples honoured the Hindu gods Shiva and Vishnu. Angkor Wat was built using large sandstone blocks carved from the Phnom Kulen mountain range, which were carried down the Siem Reap River in rafts to the site. The temple was first built for Vishnu, but later became used as a Buddhist temple, which it remains today. The Khmer Empire built Angkor Wat on ground that swells up with monsoon rains and shrinks significantly during dry seasons. The land the temple sits on floats above the water, supporting its weight despite the season. **WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM?** Thai forces captured the Khmer city of Angkor in 1431. This followed a period of weakening for the empire, as an exceptionally heavy monsoon period was followed by a bad drought that the city's complex water-storing systems couldn't overcome. This loss of the city also meant the loss of some of the empire's core trade routes, a combination that caused Khmer's decline. **Image Description:** * **Type:** Photograph of Angkor Wat, accompanied by a map. * **Main Elements:** * **Photograph:** Shows the multi-tiered structure of Angkor Wat across a body of water, likely a moat or reservoir. The temple buildings have multiple towers and intricate details. Trees, including palm trees, are visible along the edge of the water and around the temple. The surface of the water reflects the temple and the sky. People are visible on the upper levels of the temple complex. * **Caption:** "2.6 million people visit Angkor Wat each year" is placed near the top left of the photograph. * **Map:** Circular inset map labeled "LOCATION". It is a globe view showing Southeast Asia, centered roughly on the area of Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. A dashed purple circle highlights this region. The equator is indicated by a dashed line labeled "equator". * **Copyright:** "© Alamy / Shutterstock" is written vertically on the right side of the image.