Mesoamerica Flashcards
Answer Key
Geography
Q: What is the region known as Mesoamerica?
A: Central Mexico to northern Central America
Q: What mountain range runs along the eastern and western coasts of Mexico?
A: The Sierra Madre mountains
Q: What is the peninsula where the ancient Maya civilization thrived?
A: Yucatán Peninsula
Q: What are two geographical features that shaped the development of Mesoamerican civilizations?
A: Rainforests and mountains
Q: Which landmarks are located in Teotihuacan, a significant Mesoamerican city?
A: Pyramids of the Sun and Moon
History
Q: Which civilization is considered the 'mother culture' of Mesoamerica?
A: The Olmec civilization
Q: What major conflict led to the fall of the Aztec Empire?
A: Civil War between the Aztecs and Spanish conquistadors
Q: What are three famous city-states of the ancient Maya?
A: Tikal, Palenque, and Chichen Itza
Q: When did the Maya civilization begin to flourish?
A: 1500 years ago, around 300 AD
Q: Who is the feathered serpent god worshipped by the Aztecs?
A: Quetzalcoatl
Olmec
Q: What is the most famous artistic achievement of the Olmec civilization?
A: Colossal heads carved from basalt
Q: Which are two major Olmec archaeological sites?
A: San Lorenzo and La Venta
Q: What legacy did the Olmec leave for future Mesoamerican civilizations?
A: Olmec were known for their influence on later cultures
Q: How did the Olmec view religion and deities?
A: Polytheistic, worshipped many gods
Q: When did the Olmec civilization begin?
A: Around 1200 BC
Maya
Q: What writing system did the Maya develop?
A: Hieroglyphics
Q: What intricate system did the Maya create to track time?
A: The Mayan calendar
Q: What two food staples were significant in Maya daily life?
A: Chocolate and maize (corn)
Q: How was the Maya society structured?
A: Social hierarchies with nobles, priests, and commoners
Q: What areas did the Maya excel in that contributed to their advancements?
A: Astronomy and mathematics
Cultures
Q: What is a similarity between the Aztec and Maya cultures?
A: Both had hierarchical societies with rulers and priests
Q: What practice was significant in Aztec religious ceremonies?
A: Human sacrifice
Q: What game was played by the Aztecs and Maya that held religious and social significance?
A: Ball game called tlachtli
Q: How did both the Aztecs and Maya incorporate pyramids into their cultures?
A: Use of pyramids in religious practices
Q: What did the Aztecs and Maya have in common regarding their deities?
A: They both believed in a complex pantheon of gods influencing their lives
Structures / Art
Q: What types of structures did the Maya build in their cities?
A: Temples, pyramids, and ball courts
Q: Name two of the most famous architectural sites in Mesoamerica.
A: Chichen Itza and Teotihuacan
Q: What art forms were prominent in Mesoamerican cultures?
A: Stone carvings and mural paintings
Q: What is the famous pyramid located at Chichen Itza?
A: The Temple of Kukulkan
**