Instructions
Read through the information about the mysterious world of lost cities. As you read, complete the activities to test your knowledge and creativity. Have fun being an explorer!
Part 1: What is a Lost City?
Imagine stumbling through a thick jungle and discovering giant stone temples covered in vines, or digging in a field and finding the remains of an entire town buried beneath your feet. These are "lost cities."
A lost city is a real settlement or town that was once full of people but was eventually abandoned and forgotten by the outside world. Over hundreds or even thousands of years, nature takes over. Jungles might grow over it, sand might bury it, or it might be so hidden in the mountains that no one remembers it's there. It remains a secret until it is rediscovered, often by archaeologists, explorers, or sometimes just by accident!
Activity 1: Famous Examples
Match the famous lost city with the reason it was "lost" for so long. Write the correct letter in the blank space.
- Pompeii, Italy _____
- Machu Picchu, Peru _____
- Angkor Wat, Cambodia _____
- A. It was swallowed by a dense jungle after the Khmer Empire collapsed.
- B. It was hidden high up in the Andes Mountains and was never found by Spanish conquerors.
- C. It was instantly buried under a thick layer of ash and rock when a volcano, Mount Vesuvius, erupted.
Part 2: Common Characteristics of Lost Cities
While every lost city has a unique story, they often share some common characteristics. Think of these as clues that tell us we've found a lost city.
- Sudden or Gradual Abandonment: People left the city. This could have been for many reasons, like a war, a natural disaster (like a volcano or earthquake), climate change that caused crops to fail, or the spread of a deadly disease.
- Hidden by Nature: Without people to take care of it, the city gets reclaimed by the environment. It might be covered by jungle vines, buried by desert sand, or submerged under water.
- Forgotten History: Often, the stories and written records of the city disappear along with the people. For centuries, the city exists only in rumors or legends, if at all.
- Archaeological Treasure Trove: Because the city was left behind, it acts like a "time capsule." Archaeologists can study the buildings, tools, pottery, and art to learn exactly how people lived long ago.
- The "Rediscovery" Moment: A key part of a lost city's story is the moment it is found again by the modern world, unlocking its secrets for everyone to study.
Activity 2: Lost City Detective
Read the detective's notes below. Which characteristic of a lost city is each note describing? Write your answer on the line provided.
Use the list above to help you: Abandonment, Hidden by Nature, Forgotten History, Archaeological Treasure Trove, Rediscovery.
- Detective's Note #1: An explorer, Hiram Bingham, was led by local guides up a steep mountain path in 1911 to a site that was unknown to the outside world.
Characteristic: ______________________________ - Detective's Note #2: In one city, scientists found kitchens with pots still on the hearths and tools left in workshops, as if the people just vanished.
Characteristic: ______________________________ - Detective's Note #3: For 400 years, the only mention of this jungle city was in the journal of a traveling monk. Most people thought it was just a myth.
Characteristic: ______________________________
Part 3: Design Your Own Lost City!
You have just discovered a new lost city! Now it's your job to document your findings. Use your imagination to answer the questions below.
1. What is the name of your lost city?
_______________________________________________________
2. Where in the world was it hidden? (e.g., in the Amazon rainforest, under the sands of the Sahara, on a forgotten island)
_______________________________________________________
3. What was the main reason your city was abandoned by its people?
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
4. What is the most amazing artifact or building an archaeologist would find there? (e.g., a golden statue, a library of stone tablets, a giant pyramid with a secret passage)
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Answer Key
Activity 1: Famous Examples
- Pompeii, Italy C
- Machu Picchu, Peru B
- Angkor Wat, Cambodia A
Activity 2: Lost City Detective
- Characteristic: Rediscovery
- Characteristic: Abandonment (or Archaeological Treasure Trove is also a good answer)
- Characteristic: Forgotten History
Part 3: Design Your Own Lost City!
Answers are based on the student's own creativity and will vary.