Module 3 (13): North and Central America

Question 1

what are characteristics of chiefdoms?

Answer 1

-> ranked society based on genealogical distance from the chief
-> hierarchy based on kinship
-> economy relies on surplus redistribution and gift-giving

Question 2

what are characteristics of states?

Answer 2

-> ranked society based on wealth, power and prestige
-> administrative bureaucracy
-> economy relies on a taxation system

Question 3

when was Mississippian culture? what was significant about it?

Answer 3

(1000 - 1700 CE)
-> towns with earthworks
-> social inequalities
-> networks of chiefdoms

Question 4

what are some characteristics of Cahokia, Illinois?

Answer 4

-> largest Mississippian site
-> monks mound: largest earthen structure north of Mexico
-> mound for residences, ceremonies, elite burials

Question 5

was Cahokia a chiefdom or a state?

Answer 5

-> chiefdom

Question 6

what was significant about the Falcon Warrior?

Answer 6

-> mound 72
-> buried with 20k shells in a falcon shape
-> 800 unused arrows
-> 4 men and 53 women sacrifices
-> believed to be an important Cahokia ruler

Question 7

what was the second largest Mississippian site other than Cahokia?

Answer 7

-> Moundville
-> 29 mounds around a plaza

Question 8

what are some characteristics of classic Maya culture? when?

Answer 8

(250 - 900 CE)
-> elaborate art / architecture
-> competing city-states
-> glyphic writing

Question 9

what is a city-state?

Answer 9

similar groups that do not form a single unified entity under one government (each city has it’s own rulers)

Question 10

who was the ultimate ruler of Maya societies?

Answer 10

a divine ruler

Question 11

what is the Maya city we talked about? what are some characteristics?

Answer 11

-> Tikal, Guatemala
-> large site, ceremonial core, workshops, agriculture

Question 12

what was the population of Tikal?

Answer 12

10-90 thousand people

Question 13

what were the temple pyramids used for?

Answer 13

ceremonies and burials of elite rulers

Question 14

what did the Maya glyphs depict?

Answer 14

-> the lives of rulers, their history and dynasties

Question 15

what did Maya art depict?

Answer 15

-> military conquest, elite life, court scenes

Question 16

what were the three biggest trade materials in Maya culture?

Answer 16

-> obsidian
-> jade
-> marine shells

Question 17

why did the Maya civilization collapse?

Answer 17

-> overpopulation, resource overuse, drought, warfare