Pre-Columbian Civilizations Quiz

A vast area in the Americas, encompassing a diverse range of cultures, ethnicities, and ways of life.

A complex system of social structure, political organization, and religious beliefs that characterized the Mayan, Aztec, and Inca civilizations.

A highly developed civilization known for its advancements in architecture, astronomy, art, and medicine.

A powerful empire characterized by its complex social structure, military prowess, and elaborate religious practices.

A vast and rich civilization that stretched across the Andes Mountains, notable for its intricate road system, agricultural techniques, and sophisticated governance.

A sacred and ritual practice prevalent throughout Mesoamerica, involving a ball and a specialized court.

A specific playing area designed for the Mesoamerican ball game, found in various forms across numerous cultures.

A common practice amongst all the cultures of Mesoamerica, with a history spanning over 2,000 years.

A Mesoamerican ball game played by elite players, involving a heavy ball and protective gear.

The ruler with the highest authority in a Mayan city-state.

Members of the Mayan society responsible for spiritual and executive functions.

The social hierarchy of the Mayan civilization, with the Ajaw at the top followed by nobles, priests, merchants, and craftsmen.

The practice of consuming human flesh for religious and/or ritual purposes.

The Mayan practice of sacrificing individuals as offerings to deities.

The main agricultural product in ancient Mayan society, used for both consumption and trade.

A collection of city-states that formed the Mayan civilization, independent and often at war with each other.

A game played with a rubber ball in teams, with the objective being to pass the ball through a stone ring or keep it in the air by hitting it with various parts of the body, except for hands and feet.

The stone ring or rings used in the Ball Game, through which the players aim to pass the ball for scoring.

The object used in the Ball Game, made of rubber and typically solid.

The act of striking the ball with any part of the body, excluding the hands and feet, in the Ball Game.

The team leader in the Ball Game.

The act of getting the ball through the stone ring in the Ball Game.

The variations or different ways in which the Ball Game is played, depending on the size of the court, scoring methods, and rules.

A popular traditional Aztec game resembling the game of the goose, played on a cross-shaped board with 52 squares, using seeds with painted dots as dice.

A form of exercise and ritual cleansing involving immersion in steam baths, practiced by Aztecs of all social standing, especially for hygiene and purification.

A traditional Aztec gambling game involving marbles or bean seeds, where the goal is to land the marble in a hole from a designated line.

An ancient Aztec game played with spheres or marbles, involving hitting the opponent's pieces to make them fall out of play.

Aztec runners were skilled athletes, employed as messengers by rulers, and competed in races like climbing the 360 steps of the Templo Mayor.

The Aztecs practiced hunting, both for survival (commoners) and recreation (elite), using weapons like bows and blowpipes in designated areas.

Swimming was a common activity for both men and women among the Aztecs, not only for recreation but also for hunting water birds.

The Aztecs were adept rowers, known for their canoes made of a variety of materials, they used them for travel and transportation.

A ritual dance performed by five individuals, with four hanging from a high mast and descending in a circular motion as one plays music.

A civilization that originated in Cuzco and expanded its rule across the Andes Mountains, eventually encompassing a vast territory in South America.

The supreme leader of the Inca Empire, also considered the son of the Sun, holding ultimate authority in all matters of the state.

The social structure of the Inca Empire, with the Inca at the top, followed by different levels of nobility, and commoners including peasants and servants.

System in which land ownership belonged to the Inca, the state, and private property was not recognized.

Obligation for all males between 16 and 50 years old to contribute to the Inca state by working on public projects, mining, or agriculture.

The most advanced civilization in South America, known for its extensive empire, centralized governance, and sophisticated infrastructure.

A term that describes the privileged groups in Inca society, including priests, nobles, and high officials.

A system of labor tribute used by the Incas, which involved people working for the state for a set period of time, and later adopted by the Spanish during their colonial rule for mining gold and silver.

A large, rectangular enclosure with gabled roofs used by the Incas for various activities like physical exercises, sheltering from the weather, and public gatherings.

A traditional Inca game played with curved sticks and wooden balls of different sizes, used for celebrating the end of the communal work, where both men and women could participate.

Religious festivals and military training exercises played a significant role motivating physical activities in Inca society. Dedicated facilities like town squares, fortresses, and Kallankas were created to encourage these exercises.

A network of inns created by the Incas to facilitate movement and communication over long distances.

The Incas used runners or messengers to deliver messages, which could be conveyed directly or shared orally at Tambos.

The Incas constructed an extensive road network spanning over 5,000 km, allowing for efficient movement of goods, people, and information across their vast empire.

The Inca civilization was known for its polytheistic beliefs, with a strong emphasis on the natural phenomena and celestial bodies, particularly the sun.