Mayan history test 1

What are the lands like?

Consisted of both highlands (above 1,000 feet, had extinct and active volcanos) and lowlands (high temp coastal plain), high temperature, tropical rainforest in the Yucatan peninsula, northern lowland climate is hot, and infrequent rainfall means that there are few permanent rivers or lakes. Few interior rivers, lowland lakes rare, deforestation in southern lowlands

Chicxulub crater

96mi wide, 6 mile deep, landed around SW Yucatan peninsula

Mayan traits

hieroglyphics writing, books (fig bark/deer skin), calendar, movement of planets, markets, dynastic rule, cardinal directions

Cardinal directions

North (white) east (red) south (yellow) west (black)

Olmec

grandest mesoamerican tribe

Cenote

rain water falling on limestone, making clean water, sinkholes

Chultun

A chultún is a bottle-shaped underground storage chamber built by the pre-Columbian Maya in southern Mesoamerica

Milpa

burnt over ground that lies fallow between brief periods of use

Chinampas

structure in lake made to harvest the scum used to make spirulina rotten material on top of stagnant water

Big 4

beans, squash, chili peppers, corn

Obsidian

after product of volcanic rock, glass

Geographic cohesion

the concept of promoting balance and homogeneity

Cultural homogeneity

a society or group that shares a uniform culture, including language, values, and traditions, often resulting in high social cohesion but reduced diversity (same genetics)

Jade

used for jewelry, currency (found in river deposits)

Quetzal

beautiful tropical birds, feathers used for decorations and fashion (small body, long tail)

Salt

derived from ocean water, sold the salt, salted meat so it lasts longer

Noble savage

how Europeans described indigenous people, gentle, wore white, peaceful (especially after WW1)

Mayan language/proto mayan

origin of multiple indigenous languages, K’iche being the most common

Highland

high altitude tundra, frozen sub soil, deserts, thorn forests, tropical forests

Slash and burn

technique used where they harvested and then burnt the field and replanted, resulted in nutrient-dense soil that prevented premature death and dementia (plant for 10 years, left alone for 15)

Highlands grew what bean that was used as currency?

cacoa

Flora in the dry lands

pines and grasses

Flora in lower wetlands

oaks, animals

Highland farming

plant for 10 years, leave alone for 15

Lowland farming

15 years planting, 5 year rest

Homo Sapiens survived because

their brains were bigger, used tools and were social

How many Mayans are surviving?

7-8 million