Mesoamerica!

Question 1

Where were the Mayans located?

Answer 1

Centered around the Yucatan Peninsula, encompassed Mexico, Guatemala, Belize etc

Question 2

When were the Mayans at their peak.

Answer 2

250 - 900 AD was the peak (Around the classical Period)

Question 3

What are the characteristics of civilization?

Answer 3

• Advanced cities - Organized institutions (government and religion) - Record keeping - Technology - Specialized workers (social classes)

Question 4

How were the Mayan government and religion connected?

Answer 4

• Ruled by kings, who were considered semi-divine - Assisted by priests and nobles

Question 5

What was the structure of Mayan government?

Answer 5

• Independent city-states across the Yucatan Peninsula - No common political identity, but some alliances and trade relationships

Question 6

What were key aspects of Mayan religion?

Answer 6

• Polytheistic (gods of war, corn, rain, death, etc.) - Gods could be good or evil - Offerings included food, flowers, incense, and blood-letting ceremonies - Some human sacrifices

Question 7

What was a major Mayan religious site?

Answer 7

• ‘El Castillo’ at Chichen Itza, a pyramid temple dedicated to the feathered serpent god, Kukulkan

Question 8

What was the purpose of Mayan ball courts?

Answer 8

• Games had religious significance

Question 9

Name three major Mayan cities.

Answer 9

• Tikal - Chichen Itza - Uxmal

Question 10

How did Mayan city-states trade?

Answer 10

• Linked by rivers and roads - Traded stone, jade, obsidian, salt, feathers, textiles, paper, and jewelry - Used gold, copper, and cacao beans as currency

Question 11

What features were common in Mayan cities?

Answer 11

• Giant pyramid temples - Large plazas - Palaces - Bas-relief sculptures and colorful murals

Question 12

What was the main occupation of Mayans?

Answer 12

• Most were farmers, using raised beds in swamps and terrace farming in highlands

Question 13

What social classes existed in Mayan society?

Answer 13

• Government and religious officials - Mathematicians, architects, scribes, artists (service sector)

Question 14

How did the Mayans record information?

Answer 14

• Used glyphs (some symbols were words, others syllables) - Created Codexes (bark paper books)

Question 15

What were some technological advancements of the Mayans?

Answer 15

• Astronomy observatory at Chichen Itza (aligned with Venus) - 260-day religious calendar - Did NOT use the wheel

Question 16

What are theories on the decline of the Mayans?

Answer 16

• Possible civil war or famine - Ultimately, Spanish conquest destroyed them