Mesoamerican Civilizations and the Maya
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Questions and Answers

What did the ancient Maya believe was the result of living according to the laws of nature and society?

  • Health and balance (correct)
  • Confusion and chaos
  • Hunger and vulnerability
  • Illness and disease

Which components were part of the ancient Maya's medical practice?

  • Mind, body, religion, ritual, and science (correct)
  • Only scientific methods and herbal remedies
  • Diet and physical exercise exclusively
  • Monastic routine and fasting

Who practiced medicine in ancient Maya culture?

  • Warriors
  • Priests
  • Commoners
  • Shamans (correct)

What were the consequence of disobedience of the laws of nature and society according to the ancient Maya?

<p>Illness and disease (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of foods were recommended for the health practices of the ancient Maya?

<p>Hot foods like garlic and ginger (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary material used for construction in Mayan settlements?

<p>Limestone (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

For what purpose were some Mayan pyramids specifically built?

<p>For sacrificial rituals (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What process did the Mayans use to make mortar for their construction projects?

<p>Burning limestone (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What structure connected the two to four stairways of a Mayan pyramid?

<p>A central platform for rituals (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How many steps does each stairway of the Temple of Kukulcan have?

<p>91 steps (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the significant scientific achievements of the Maya civilization?

<p>Development of hieroglyphic writing (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are some of the possible reasons for the decline of the Maya civilization?

<p>Climate change and agricultural practices (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which numeral system was used by the Maya?

<p>Vigesimal system (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What structural achievements are attributed to the Maya?

<p>Pyramids and palaces (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What impact did deforestation have on the Maya civilization?

<p>Contributed to climate change (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT attributed to the Maya?

<p>Medical advancements in surgery (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspect contributed to the efficiency in the lives of the Maya?

<p>Expert agricultural techniques (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which construct did the Maya use to enhance their communication?

<p>Hieroglyphs (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What astronomical event occurs during the equinoxes?

<p>The sun crosses the equator (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How many days does the Haab calendar consist of?

<p>365 days (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is the Haab calendar structured in terms of months?

<p>18 months of 20 days each and 1 month of 5 days (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the last 5 days of the Haab calendar?

<p>These days are called Wayeb and are considered unlucky (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Pop' signify in the Haab calendar?

<p>It represents the first day of the month (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why was the Haab calendar important to the Mayans?

<p>It was utilized to plan their agricultural year (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens at sunset on the equinoxes with the Mayan pyramid?

<p>The pyramid casts a shadow that aligns with a serpent carving (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the Haab calendar is incorrect?

<p>It begins with the month of Tzolk'in (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the capital of the Inca Empire?

<p>Cuzco (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In which region did the Inca Empire primarily thrive?

<p>The Andes and Pacific Coast (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a famous Inca architectural achievement?

<p>Machu Picchu (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was NOT an achievement of the Maya?

<p>Establishing maritime trade routes (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a major aspect of the Inca's adaptation of natural landscapes?

<p>Highway systems (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true about Manco Capac?

<p>He appears in all known Inca founding myths. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is the number 5 expressed in the ancient Maya number system?

<p>Three bars and two dots (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What describes the Inca Empire from 1400-1533 CE?

<p>It was located in pre-Columbian America. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of the Long Count calendar?

<p>To track longer periods of time (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How many days are in one Baktun according to the Long Count calendar?

<p>144,000 days (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the Long Count date 13.0.0.0.0 signify?

<p>13 Baktuns, 0 Katuns, 0 Tuns, 0 Uinals, and 0 Kins (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the total number of days calculated from December 22, 2012 to January 1, 2013?

<p>10 days (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If the Long Count date on December 21, 2012 was 12.19.19.19.19, what Baktun followed it?

<p>13 (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How many days are used to account for 5 months if three of those months have 31 days each?

<p>155 days (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the Long Count calendar, what unit is used for 1 day?

<p>Kin (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a cycle used in the Long Count calendar?

<p>Annum (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Mayan Pyramid

A building with a square base and four sloping sides meeting at a point, often found in Mayan settlements.

Limestone

A building material used by the Mayans to construct their pyramids, quarried from nearby locations.

Mortar

A mixture used to bind together stones in construction, made by burning limestone with wood, employed by the Mayans.

Stairways on Pyramids

A series of steps leading up to the top of a structure, commonly found on Mayan pyramids and used for ritual and access.

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Sacrificial Pyramid

A type of Mayan pyramid constructed for rituals and often featuring four stairways with 91 steps each, example: Temple of Kukulcan.

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Equinox

An astronomical event where the Sun crosses the celestial equator, resulting in equal day and night lengths across the globe.

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Haab Calendar

The ancient Mayan calendar, based on the solar year, with 365 days divided into 18 months of 20 days each, plus a 5-day period called Wayeb.

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Wayeb

The last 5 days of the Haab calendar, considered unlucky and dangerous by the Mayan people.

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Shadow of the Serpent God

A specific day in the Haab calendar where the Sun's position creates a shadow from the Kukulkan pyramid, resembling the body of the Mayan serpent god.

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Haab Calendar's Day Numbering

The unique feature of the Haab calendar where the first day of each month is numbered '0' instead of '1'.

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Pop

The initial month of the Haab calendar, marking the beginning of the agricultural year.

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Muan

A month within the Haab calendar, associated with rain, agriculture, and harvesting.

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Months of the Haab Calendar

All the 18 months of the Haab calendar, each with 20 days.

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What is the Long Count?

The Long Count is an astronomical calendar system used by the ancient Maya civilization to track long periods of time.

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What are the cycles of the Long Count?

The Long Count is based on a system with 5 cycles, each representing a different unit of time: Baktun, Katun, Tun, Uinal, and Kin.

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What is a Kin?

The smallest unit of time in the Long Count calendar is the Kin, which represents one day.

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What is a Uinal?

The Uinal is a cycle of 20 days in the Long Count calendar.

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What is a Tun?

The Tun is a cycle of 360 days in the Long Count calendar.

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What is a Katun?

The Katun is a cycle of 7,200 days (20 x 360 = 7,200) in the Long Count calendar.

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What is a Baktun?

The Baktun is the largest cycle of time in the Long Count, lasting 144,000 days (20 x 360 x 20 = 144,000).

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Mayan Health

A state of harmony between the individual and their natural and social environment.

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Mayan Illness

Disobedience of natural and social laws, leading to a state of disharmony and illness.

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Mayan Medicine

A practice that combined spiritual, physical, and societal elements to address health concerns.

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Mayan Shamans

Specialized healers who combined knowledge of herbs, rituals, and spiritual practices to treat illness.

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Mayan Worldview

A belief system that emphasized the interconnectedness of all living beings and the importance of respecting natural laws.

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What happens during a lunar eclipse?

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow on the Moon.

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What calendar did the Maya develop?

The Maya developed accurate calendars, including the Haab (solar) and Tzolk'in (ritual) calendars.

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What is the Maya's unique farming technique?

Farming on raised platforms called chinampas allowed the Maya to create more land for agriculture by using canals and fertile soil.

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How is the number 5 written in the Mayan number system?

The ancient Mayan number system used dots and bars to represent numbers. Five dots equal one bar.

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What is the Inca Empire?

The Inca Empire was a powerful and influential civilization in pre-Columbian America, lasting from 1400-1533 CE.

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The Decline of the Maya

The decline of the Mayan civilization, starting around the 11th century.

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What are the Inca known for building?

The Inca constructed impressive buildings, roads, and terraces that showcased their engineering skills and adapted to the natural landscape.

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What is Machu Picchu?

Machu Picchu is a well-known Inca site located in the Andes Mountains of Peru, showcasing their architectural mastery.

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Mayan Scientific Achievements

The Mayan civilization's achievements in areas such as farming, calendar systems, writing, and architecture, demonstrating their advanced intellect.

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Causes of the Mayan Decline

A major debate exists about what led to the decline of the Mayan civilization, with multiple theories being considered, showing the complexity of historical understanding.

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Who is Manco Capac?

Manco Capac, a figure in Inca myths, is considered a founder of the Inca civilization, although his historical existence is debated.

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War Theory of Mayan Decline

A theory positing that warfare contributed to the decline of the Mayan civilization, as conflicts between different groups could have destabilized their society.

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Trade Route Disruption Theory

Disruptions in trade routes, vital for the Maya's economy and exchange of goods, could have played a role in their decline.

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Environmental Degradation Theory

The Mayan civilization's intensive agricultural practices and population expansion, despite their advanced farming practices, might have led to environmental degradation and unsustainable practices.

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From Golden Age to Decline

The Mayan civilization experienced a significant transformation, moving from a period of scientific advancement to a decline, highlighting the cyclical nature of civilizations.

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Enduring Legacy of the Maya

The Mayan civilization, despite its decline, left a lasting legacy through its scientific achievements, showing the enduring power of human innovation and knowledge.

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Study Notes

Mesoamerican Civilizations

  • Mesoamerica encompasses modern-day Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica.
  • Early civilizations developed in the Valley of Mexico.
  • Key crops included maize, beans, squash, chili peppers, and turkey.
  • Agriculture led to settled villages and social stratification.
  • Evidence of complex calendar systems, religious traditions, and ball games existed.
  • While they knew of the wheel and basic metallurgy, these technologies weren't crucial to their culture.

Maya Civilization

  • Inhabited the Yucatan Peninsula, parts of Mexico, and Central America.
  • Expert astronomers, with detailed calendars and astronomical knowledge.
  • Their calendar system included the Long Count, Tzolkin, and Haab calendars, which were used for planting, harvesting, and other activities.
  • Remarkable architectural achievements such as pyramids, temples, and palaces.
  • Developed a sophisticated writing system.
  • A highly developed knowledge of astronomy.
  • Associated Venus with warfare.
  • Understood the movement of celestial bodies.
  • Considered the sun to be a powerful entity.
  • Their cities were aligned with astronomical events.
  • Practiced various technologies and their skills.

Inca Civilization

  • The Inca Empire was located in modern-day Peru and ran from Ecuador to Chile.
  • Skilled architects, and their exceptional achievements in adapting to natural landscapes.
  • Their city of Cusco was their administrative center.
  • Constructed impressive buildings without using mortar.
  • Developed an advanced communication system using Chasquis (runners).
  • They also developed aqueducts and irrigation systems.
  • Used ingenious methods for farming in the Andes Mountains.
  • Created a thorough form of record-keeping using the quipu system of knotted strings.
  • Well-known for advanced astronomical knowledge and understanding of calendars.
  • Created the sun temple at Machu Picchu.
  • Had a knowledge of agriculture and farming.
  • Skilled in the art of stonework.
  • Skilled in the art of metalwork.
  • Used complex mathematics/geometry, and used advanced techniques for farming, building, and more.

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Description

Explore the rich history of Mesoamerican civilizations, focusing on the Maya. Learn about their advanced agricultural practices, complex calendar systems, and remarkable architectural achievements. This quiz will test your knowledge on their societal structures, key crops, and cultural contributions.

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