Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- revelation /rev-uh-LEY-shuhn/
- grain /greyn /
- consistent /kuhn-SIS-tuhnt /
- ongoing /ON-goh-ing/
- venture /VEN-cher/
[noun] – the act of making something known that was secret or a fact that is made known
The revelation of the company’s financial misconduct shocked the shareholders.
[noun] – a seed or seeds from a plant, especially a plant like a grass such as rice or wheat
The field was filled with golden grains of wheat ready for harvest.
[adjective] – always behaving or happening in a similar, especially positive, way
His consistent hard work and dedication led to his success in the company.
[adjective] – continuing to exist, developing, or happening at the present moment
The ongoing construction project has caused some traffic delays in the city.
[verb] – to risk going somewhere or doing something that might be dangerous or unpleasant, or to risk saying something that might be criticized
She decided to venture into the unknown and explore the mysterious forest on her own.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
In a groundbreaking development in the field of archaeology, researchers have provided further evidence to support the discovery of ancient human footprints in what is now White Sands National Park, New Mexico. These remarkable footprints, first revealed to the public in 2021, have been radiocarbon-dated to an astonishing age of 21,000 to 23,000 years. This revelation challenges our understanding of human history in the Americas, which was previously believed to have been settled much later. The 61 footprints were found near an ancient lake in the Tularosa Basin, hinting that humans arrived in the region much earlier than previously thought, even during a time when ice sheets were thought to have blocked their passage into North America.
Skeptics had raised questions about the initial dating of the footprints, pointing out that aquatic plants like Ruppia cirrhosa, used in the 2021 study, could absorb carbon from water, potentially leading to inaccurate dating. However, in a recent study published in the journal Science, researchers presented two new lines of evidence to support their original findings. They employed radiocarbon dating of conifer pollen, a terrestrial plant, and utilized optically stimulated luminescence to date quartz grains in the fossil sediment. Both methods provided consistent results, further strengthening the claim of an early human presence in the Americas. This discovery opens a new chapter in the ongoing debate about how and when early humans first arrived in the Americas, shedding light on their remarkable journey across the world. While many questions remain unanswered, these ancient footprints provide a fascinating glimpse into the challenges and opportunities faced by the first inhabitants of the American continents as they ventured into new and uncharted territories.
Skeptics had raised questions about the initial dating of the footprints, pointing out that aquatic plants like Ruppia cirrhosa, used in the 2021 study, could absorb carbon from water, potentially leading to inaccurate dating. However, in a recent study published in the journal Science, researchers presented two new lines of evidence to support their original findings. They employed radiocarbon dating of conifer pollen, a terrestrial plant, and utilized optically stimulated luminescence to date quartz grains in the fossil sediment. Both methods provided consistent results, further strengthening the claim of an early human presence in the Americas. This discovery opens a new chapter in the ongoing debate about how and when early humans first arrived in the Americas, shedding light on their remarkable journey across the world. While many questions remain unanswered, these ancient footprints provide a fascinating glimpse into the challenges and opportunities faced by the first inhabitants of the American continents as they ventured into new and uncharted territories.
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever visited an archaeological site or museum that showcased ancient artifacts or footprints? If yes, please describe your experience and how it contributed to your understanding of history. If not, would you be interested in visiting such a site after learning about the ancient footprints in White Sands National Park? Why or why not?
- Do you think scientific discoveries like the dating of these ancient footprints have the potential to reshape our understanding of human history and migration patterns? Why or why not? If yes, can you provide examples of other discoveries that have had a similar impact? If not, what factors do you believe influence our understanding of history more significantly?
- Do you find the discovery of ancient human footprints dating back 21,000 to 23,000 years in New Mexico to be a significant and compelling archaeological finding?
- How might the confirmation of these ancient footprints challenge or revise our understanding of early human migration and settlement in the Americas? Consider the implications for existing theories about when and how humans first arrived on the continent.
- The article mentions that some skeptics questioned the initial dating of the footprints due to concerns about carbon dating methods. How important is it for scientific discoveries to undergo rigorous scrutiny and validation by the scientific community? What safeguards and processes should be in place to ensure the accuracy and credibility of such findings?
Summarization
Please summarize the whole article using your own words and expressions. You will have one minute to prepare before you answer.
Describe:
Please explain the definition of each word listed below based on your understanding. You can provide example sentences if needed.
- archaeology
- glimpse
- journal
- astonish
- evidence