Quiz 4.1 (Civilizations of Middle America )

What happened to the Maya after their Classic Period (their 'golden age')?

• A catastrophic event wiped out the population.

• They were killed off in a series of battles.

• They died off from epidemic diseases.

• They continued to exist in remote locations.

Answer explanation

After the Classic Period, the Maya did not disappear but continued to exist in remote locations, adapting to changing conditions. They maintained their culture and traditions, contrary to the idea of complete extinction.

Which of the following is one of the possible theories about why people first settled the Americas?

• Humans did not migrate into the Americas, and were already settled here.

• Humans crossed a land bridge that existed across what is now the Bering Strait.

• Humans first migrated to the Americas from Europe by boat.

• Humans migrated to the Americas on large sailing vessels, as seen in archaeological record.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is that humans crossed a land bridge across the Bering Strait, known as Beringia, which connected Asia to North America during the last Ice Age, allowing migration into the Americas.

The large monuments and temples of the Olmec are evidence that...

• 
  Olmec society emphasized craftsmanship and vocation over education.

• the Olmec developed an advanced civilization that was capable of organizing large pools of labor.

• 
  Olmec priests were at the center of their civilization and treated all others as slaves.

• the Olmec were fearful of outside invasion and built large structures for shelter and protection.

Answer explanation

The large monuments and temples of the Olmec indicate their ability to organize significant labor forces, reflecting an advanced civilization rather than just craftsmanship or fear of invasion.

Which of the following was NOT domesticated by Mesoamerican farmers?

• Maize

• Beans

• Squash

• Bananas

• Avocados

Answer explanation

Bananas were not domesticated by Mesoamerican farmers; they originated in Southeast Asia. In contrast, maize, beans, squash, and avocados were key crops developed by Mesoamerican agricultural practices.

What is one reason why only a few Maya books on bark paper remain?

• The bark paper developed by the Maya did not hold up well over time, and they eventually disintegrated

• Maya priests destroyed the books when the Spanish conquerors arrived, out of fear that their beliefs would be stolen.

• Archeologists researching the Maya did not realize the significance of the books, and they were not properly cataloged for future generations.

• Spanish conquerors burned most of the books because they were not written by Christians.

Answer explanation

Spanish conquerors burned many Maya books because they were not written in Christian texts, leading to the loss of these important cultural artifacts.

What is the main difference between the Aztec and Maya regarding the governing of their societies?

• The Maya elected their leader, while the Aztec leader was a tyrant.

• The Aztecs developed a more democratic system of government, while the Maya leader ruled by birthright

• The Maya lived in individual city-states, while the Aztec were unified under one leader

• Both civilizations lived in city-states, but the Maya empire was larger.

Answer explanation

The main difference lies in their political structure: the Maya were organized into individual city-states, each with its own ruler, while the Aztecs were unified under a single leader, creating a more centralized governance.

What is one way in which the Olmec influenced the Maya and the Aztec?

• The Olmec built the first Mesoamerican pyramids, a form used by both the Maya and the Aztec.

• The Olmec passed their spoken language on to the Maya and Aztec.

• The Maya and Aztec both adopted the Olmec system of writing.

• The Maya and Aztec both employed Olmec systems of engineering.

Answer explanation

The Olmec were the first to construct Mesoamerican pyramids, which significantly influenced both the Maya and Aztec cultures in their architectural practices.

According to the textbook, humans first migrated to the Americas...

• During the last ice age 12,000 to 10,000 years ago

• During the second last ice age 15,000 to 25,000 years ago

• During the last ice age 17,500 to 24,000 years ago

• After the last ice age 8,000 to 4,500 years ago

Answer explanation

Humans first migrated to the Americas during the last ice age, specifically between 12,000 to 10,000 years ago, as this period provided the necessary conditions for migration across land bridges.

____ is the oldest known Mesoamerican civilization, existing from roughly 1,200 to 400 BCE.

• Aztecs

• Inca

• Maya

• Olmecs

• Zapotecs

Answer explanation

The Olmecs are recognized as the oldest known Mesoamerican civilization, flourishing from around 1,200 to 400 BCE. They laid the foundation for later cultures like the Maya and Aztecs.

Where was maize originally grown?

• Southeast Asia

• Mesoamerica

• Northern Europe

• West Africa

• The Andes

Answer explanation

Maize, also known as corn, was originally grown in Mesoamerica, which includes parts of modern-day Mexico and Central America. This region is recognized as the birthplace of maize cultivation.