Chapter 18 (Ancient America)

Question 1

Which of the following is not part of the Mesoamerica region?

Answer 1

Bolivia

Question 2

How did the division of labor affect Mesoamerican societies?

Answer 2

It created a hierarchy that formed the social organization of the societies.

Question 3

3. At regular intervals the Olmec as a community would convene for ritual observances at which of the following sites?

Answer 3

San Lorenzo and La Venta

Question 4

4. Which of the following would account for the unique cosmopolitan character of Teotihuacán?

Answer 4

The city’s diversified populations

Question 5

5. Which of the following has been proposed as the identity of the giant Olmec heads?

Answer 5

Rulers

Question 6

6. The layout of the La Venta site is an early form of the temple-pyramid and plaza complex. Which of the following is a possible explanation for the temple-pyramid?

Answer 6

Mimics the sacred mountain

Question 7

7. The Olmec carved and polished ax-shaped forms are called ____.

Answer 7

celts

Question 8

8. The human-animal representations used by Olmec religious practitioners are thought to symbolize which of the following?

Answer 8

Transformations in order to wrest power from supernatural forces

Question 9

9. Recent archaeological work in West Mexico has discovered that these people did not produce large-scale stone sculpture. In addition to this discovery, what other important find has been uncovered?

Answer 9

Tiered platforms and ball courts

Question 10

10. Which of the following would support the belief that West Mexican tombs were filled with elaborate offerings?

Answer 10

Deep shafts with chambers at base

Question 11

11. West Mexican ceramics are noted for the small-scale narrative scenes including temples and houses with figurines shown in a variety of lively activities. Based on this information, which of the following would support their value for analysis?

Answer 11

They may provide informal glimpses into daily life.

Question 12

12. What architectural feature has been found in nearly all Mesoamerican cultures?

Answer 12

A ball court

Question 13

13. What significant change occurred at Teotihuacán?

Answer 13

It underwent monumental expansion into a genuine city.

Question 14

14. Teotihuacán as well as its key pyramids are carefully oriented. Which of the following is the commonly suggested reasoning for such placement?

Answer 14

Related to astronomical phenomena

Question 15

15. Which of the following supports the importance of San Lorenzo and La Venta to Olmec culture?

Answer 15

Represented the structure and ideals of Olmec society

Question 16

16. Which of the following does the urban plan of Teotihuacán most resemble?

Answer 16

Hellenistic and Roman city planning

Question 17

17. What does Maya architecture signify?

Answer 17

Power of the ruler

Question 18

18. The Mesoamerican Mexican Preclassic period is ____.

Answer 18

2000 BCE to CE 300

Question 19

19. The economic base of Mesoamerican Mexico was which of the following?

Answer 19

Cultivation of maize (corn)

Question 20

20. The modern-day region occupied by the Classic Maya was which of the following?

Answer 20

Belize, southern Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala

Question 21

21. We have a much better understanding of the chronology of Mesoamerica due to the deciphering of the writing and dating system of which of the following groups?

Answer 21

Olmecs

Question 22

22. Which of the following was one of the purposes of Maya ritual?

Answer 22

Guaranteed the order of the state and the cosmos

Question 23

23. Which of the following describes Temple I at Tikal (Temple of the Giant Jaguar).

Answer 23

The tomb of a ruler is found beneath it.

Question 24

24. Ceramic figures from Jaina most often represented which of the following?

Answer 24

Scenes from everyday life

Question 25

25. Like most Mesoamerican cities, Teotihuacán had a mural program. One mural features a goddess, earth or nature, thought to be the city’s principal deity. Among the motifs ascribed to this deity are human hearts that were essential attributes in the Mesoamerican ritual of human sacrifice. Which of the following is an explanation for the ritual of human sacrifice?

Answer 25

Essential to agricultural renewal

Question 26

26. Which of the groups below is often referred to as the “mother culture” of Mesoamerican Mexico?

Answer 26

Maya

Question 27

27. How is the Chavín horizon style now defined?

Answer 27

The culmination of developments, which began 2,000 years earlier elsewhere

Question 28

28. Corbelled vault construction was typical of the architecture of the ____.

Answer 28

Maya

Question 29

29. Which site did the Aztec visit with a deep sense of reverence?

Answer 29

Teotihuacán

Question 30

30. Which of the following was typical of Mayan art and architecture?

Answer 30

Creation of huge ceremonial centers

Question 31

31. The feathered serpent is one guise of which Mesoamerican Mexican deity?

Answer 31

Quetzalcoatl

Question 32

32. Which of the following sites is not located in South America?

Answer 32

Chichén Itzá

Question 33

33. Most extant objects from the Adena and Mississippian cultures were found in which of the following?

Answer 33

Burial and temple mounds

Question 34

34. Teotihuacano murals most often depicted which of the following?

Answer 34

Deities and ritual activity

Question 35

35. Which of the following describes the southwest kiva?

Answer 35

A large circular semi-subterranean structure

Question 36

36. Which of the following describes the Tairona pendants and their use?

Answer 36

Hammered gold, meant to be worn as amulets and talismans

Question 37

37. How did Chavín iconography spread throughout the Andean region?

Answer 37

Via portable media