The earliest-known candles date back 3,000 years to ancient Egypt. They were made from reeds soaked in animal fat and then lit to provide light. Later, the ancient Romans developed the first true candles with wicks, which were similar to the ones we use today. Evidence of the early use of candles has also been found in China, Japan, and India. A major development in candle making occurred in Europe in the Middle Ages, when people began to make candles with beeswax instead of animal fat. These candles burned cleanly without producing smoke or an unpleasant smell.
最早已知的蜡烛可以追溯到三千年前的古埃及。它们是用浸泡在动物脂肪中的芦苇制成的，然后点燃以提供光源。后来，古罗马人发明了第一支真正带有烛芯的蜡烛，与我们今天使用的蜡烛类似。在中国、日本和印度也发现了早期使用蜡烛的证据。蜡烛制造的重大发展发生在中世纪的欧洲，当时人们开始用蜂蜡取代动物脂肪来制作蜡烛。这些蜡烛能干净地燃烧，不会产生烟雾或难闻的气味。
生活必备字词：
date back + 一段时间 回溯至……（一段时间）前
evidence n. 证据（不可数）
unpleasant a. 令人不愉快的
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本文节录自《常春藤生活英语》杂志，完整内容请见二月号。
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