Maya Chapter 2 Review

Front

What is the claim in this paragraph? Use the following excerpt to answer this question: "Archaeologists believe that the Maya left their cities sometime between 800 and 900 CE. It’s possible this event happened over just a few decades. Until the 900s, the Maya kept careful historical records. They used their hieroglyphs to carve names and dates on pyramids and temples. Then in the 900s, the writing mysteriously stopped. The temples and pyramids began to fall into disrepair."

Back

The Maya left their cities sometime between 800 and 900 CE.

Answer explanation

The claim in the paragraph is that the Maya left their cities sometime between 800 and 900 CE, as stated directly. The other options provide context but do not represent the main claim.

Front

What was the effect of Stephens and Catherwood’s work?

Back

People around the world became interested in Maya history.

Answer explanation

Stephens and Catherwood's work sparked global interest in Maya history, highlighting the significance of the civilization and its achievements, rather than leading to immediate decoding of their writings or rebuilding of cities.

Front

What type of geographic environment was the ancient city of Copán built in?

Back

rainforst

Answer explanation

The ancient city of Copán was built in a rainforest environment, characterized by high humidity and dense vegetation, which provided resources for the Mayan civilization.

Front

Who was Bishop Diego de Landa?

Back

a Catholic missionary who burned all but four Maya books

Answer explanation

Bishop Diego de Landa was a Catholic missionary known for his controversial actions against the Maya culture, including the destruction of many Maya texts, leaving only four surviving books.

Front

What helped researchers decipher Mayan glyphs like these in the 1960s?

Back

early computers

Answer explanation

In the 1960s, researchers utilized early computers to analyze and decode Mayan glyphs, allowing for more efficient processing of the complex symbols compared to previous methods like Catherwood's illustrations or de Landa's notes.

Front

According to this map, which modern-day countries have large populations of Maya people today? Options: Texas, Mexico, and Florida; Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala; Costa Rica, Guatemala, and El Salvador; the Caribbean, Central America, and Belize

Back

Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala

Answer explanation

The Maya people primarily inhabit regions in Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala. These countries have significant populations of Maya descendants, making this the correct choice.

Front

Why do historians think the Maya may have moved toward the coast?

Back

Shipping routes were starting to become sea-based instead of land-based.

Answer explanation

Historians believe the Maya moved toward the coast as shipping routes began to shift from land-based to sea-based, enhancing trade and access to resources, which was crucial for their economy.

Front

Why do historians think the Maya left their cities around 900 CE and not later? Options: The dirt surrounding the ruins of Maya pyramids dates back to 900 CE. Archaeologists did not find any dates later than 900 CE carved into Maya buildings. There is evidence that other people were living in Maya territory after 900 CE. Archaeologists located a dated pillar that describes a Maya family's departure.

Back

Archaeologists did not find any dates later than 900 CE carved into Maya buildings.

Answer explanation

Historians believe the Maya left their cities around 900 CE because no dates later than 900 CE have been found carved into their buildings, indicating that this was likely the time of their departure.

Front

The Maya used a system of writing known as:

Back

Hieroglyphics

Answer explanation

The Maya used a system of writing known as hieroglyphics, which consists of symbols representing sounds and ideas. This distinguishes it from cuneiform, alphabetic, and pictographic systems used by other cultures.

Front

What was the main crop cultivated by the Mayan civilization?

Back

Maize (corn)

Answer explanation

The main crop cultivated by the Mayan civilization was maize (corn). It was a staple food and played a crucial role in their diet, culture, and economy, unlike potatoes, wheat, or rice which were not primary crops for them.