social studies test on ancient civilizations grade 8 ms sheahan

maya

the people of an important mesoamerican civilization that lasted from 2000 bce to 1500 ce - 3500 years

mesoamerica

the reigon extending from modern mexico throughout central america

ceremonial center

a large plaza in a city center, surrounded by temples and palaces, where religious rituals and other public ceremonies took place

hieroglyphic

writing that uses pictures as symbols

social pyramid

a social structure in the shape of a pyramid, with layers representing social classes of different rank

ritual

a set of actions that is always performed the same way as part of a religious ceremony

slash and burn agriculture

a farming technique in which vegetation is cut away and burned to clear land for growing crops

sacrifice

a gift of an animal for slaughter to honor the gods

compass rose

shows the orientation or direction of the map

map scale

helps the viewer convert the map to real life

longitude

longitude lines begin at the prime meridian and are spaced at equal distance to the east and west to the international date line

latitude

latitude lines begin at the equator and are equal distances to the north and south poles

cardinal directions

north, south, east, west

intermediate directions

northeast, southeast, southwest, northwest

where are the andes mountains?

where is the amazon river?

where is the yucatan peninsula?

where is the mexican plateau

maya civilization

aztec civilization

inca civilization