英语听力精选进阶版 7208（在线收听）

Background: 100年前一名美国考古学家发现位于秘鲁的印加古城马丘比丘。很多来自世界各地的游客都会到此观光。本周当地政府举办了大型活动以示庆祝。庆典活动包括印第安文化传统的歌舞表演，现代音乐会，神秘的宗教仪式和各项学术研究讨论。

It's one of the most stunning and iconic landmarks in the world, but for Peruvians Machu Picchu is much more than an archaeological site. It's become a symbol of national identity even though its origins are still shrouded in mystery.

Some believe it may have been a refuge for an Inca ruler, others that it was a religious sanctuary. It's all part of the attraction for the nearly million tourists who visit the mountain-top citadel every year.

A hundred years ago the American historian Hiram Bingham claimed to have discovered the city high up in the Andes, hidden by dense jungle. Most experts now agree that Mr Bingham, from Yale University, was not the first to rediscover Machu Picchu. A Peruvian explorer had been there a decade earlier.

The story of its discovery may have been romanticised, yet Mr Bingham's expedition certainly made this unknown wonder of the world famous.

Thousands of artefacts which he took from these ruins are now being returned. They'll go on display in nearby Cuzco later this month. A century after Mr Bingham's visit Peruvians are happy to share this place with the world, but they're also keen to reclaim Machu Picchu as their own.

Glossary 词汇表

stunning 令人惊叹的 

an archaeological site 考古遗址 

national identity 国家象征 

to be shrouded in mystery 笼罩在神秘气息之中 

a refuge 避难所 

a religious sanctuary 宗教圣地 

a citadel 城堡 

to romanticise 浪漫化 

an artefact 有考古价值的人工制品 

to reclaim 收回

Questions and Answers:

1. What might have been the purpose of Machu Picchu in the past? 

It could have been used as a refuge for an Inca ruler or as a religious sanctuary.

2. Why is it believed that Hiram Bingham may not have discovered Machu Picchu? 

Most experts think that a Peruvian explorer was there ten years earlier than Bingham.

3. What happened to artefacts taken from Bingham? 

They are being returned to Peru and will go on display in Cuzco.

4. How many tourists visit Machu Picchu every year? 

Nearly one million.