PRE-COLUMBIAN AMERICA Flashcards

1
Q

It was the biggest city in Mesoamerica

A

Tenochtitlan (Old Mexico)

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2
Q

3 most notable Pre-Columbian civilizations:

A
  • Aztec (Mexica)
  • Maya
  • Inca
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3
Q

A technique used by Incas in which blocks of stone are cut to fit together tightly without mortar.

A

ashlar

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4
Q

8 Characteristics of temple pyramids

A
  • located at center of cities
  • laid out with great skill
  • monumental
  • formal planning
  • flat roofs
  • no windows
  • square-headed doors
  • construction system was post and lintel (trabeated)
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5
Q

The most important gods were those representing the __, __. __, & __.

A

sun, moon,
rain and corn.

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6
Q

is an important 4-stage temple that forms part of the complex at Teotihuacan.

A

Pyramid of the Sun

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7
Q

was the capital of the Inca Empire and is known for its superb masonry construction.

A

Cuzco

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8
Q

oldest known civilization of the Americas

A

Caral, Peru

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9
Q

Which American Historian brought Machu-Picchu to international attention in 1911?

A

Hiram Bingham

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10
Q

was one of the most important monuments of this ceremonial site. The sun is supposed to rise through this gate on the Winter Solstice.

A

Gate of the Sun, Tiahuanaco

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11
Q

was the center of the Aztec world

A

Tenochtitlan (Old Mexico)

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12
Q

It was the largest city in the entire western hemisphere.

A

Teotihuacan

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13
Q

It is situated on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba Valley in Peru, the mountain towering above it is Huayna Picchu

A

Machu-Picchu

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14
Q

was a fortress to protect Cuzco. It was a fortress built of yucay limestone beveled at the edges.

A

Sacsayhuaman

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15
Q

was built of adobe bricks with colorful
mud plaster murals.

A

Temple of the Sun, Moche

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16
Q

Children were sacrificed in an ancient Inca practice known as ?

A

capacocha

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17
Q

is circular in plan with 4 stages surmounted by a small temple at the top.

A

Temple Pyramid, Cuicuilco

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18
Q

_________ architecture presented a sense of order and symmetry, and its design elements were portrayals of the power of its kingdom like eagles and serpents.

A

AZTECS

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19
Q

was the most important religious center of the Zapotec culture. The palaces have geometric patterns on walls.

A

Mitla

20
Q

was raised on a plain platform with a richly decorated upper building, one of the best examples of Puuc architecture.
It has corbelled arch and stone carvings of serpents, lattice work
and mask of the god Chac.

A

Palace of the Governors, Uxmal

21
Q

4 important structures in Teotihuacan

A
  • Pyramid of the Moon
  • Pyramid of the Sun
  • the Ciudadela (“Citadel”)
  • Temple of Quetzalcoatl (the Feathered Serpent)
22
Q

The levels are separated by deep friezes (tableros)

A

Temple of Quetzalcoatl (The Feathered Serpent)

23
Q

The two regions in Pre-Columbian America were?

A

Mesoamerica and Andes

24
Q

It is a decorative element at the top in the Maya architecture

A

roof comb

25
Q

Spanish conquerors called Tenochtitlan the ____ because it was a man-made island with an intricate network of canals.

A

Venice of the New World

26
Q

the capital of the Chimu Empire had an area of 6 sq.
miles.

A

Chanchan

27
Q

An Inca sacrifice was given a steady diet of ____ and ____ for a year prior to death.

A

alcohol and coca
(cocaine)

28
Q

The term Mesoamerica (Middle America) describes a region that
included what countries (7)?

A

Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras,
Nicaragua and Costa Rica.

29
Q

4 Functions of a Temple Pyramid

A
  • sacrificial centers
  • centers of worship and religious festivities
  • as royal tombs
  • astronomical observatories
30
Q

architecture features massive step pyramids with exteriors decorated with sculptures of glyphs, geometric shapes, and religious iconography like serpent masks

A

MAYA

31
Q

The stones of
Machu Picchu are therefore also known as

A

dancing stones

32
Q

What is the base diameter of Temple Pyramid, Cuicuilco?

A

134 m

33
Q

A concept where all things, whether animate or inanimate, were imbued with an unseen power like spirits inhabiting rocks, trees, and other objects

A

ANIMISM

34
Q

a porous stone much favored by the Aztecs

A

TEZONTLE

35
Q

The sacred city
of the Incas.

A

Cuzco

36
Q

The Toltecs and the Aztecs believed in ______ to keep the cosmos in balance.

A

BLOOD SACRIFICE

37
Q

The Central Andean region includes what countries (5)?

A

Ecuador, Peru, western Bolivia, and northern and central Argentina and Chile.

38
Q

The _______ employed stone facing panels carved with representations of jaguars, coyotes and eagles.

A

TOLTECS

39
Q

was the last major civilization of
Mesoamerica

A

Aztec (Mexica)

40
Q

Woven designs and geometric patterns are characteristics of the ___________ culture.

A

MIXTEC-ZAPOTEC

41
Q

is one of the most impressive and important structures at Chichen Itza.
All square columns are carved in bas-relief with Toltec warriors. It has bas-reliefs of warriors, eagles and jaguars devouring human
hearts.

A

Temple of the Warriors, Chichen Itza, Yucata

42
Q

was the center of the universe according to Aztec beliefs.

A

Templo Mayor, Tenochtitlan

43
Q

Is largest ball court in ancient Mesoamerica. It has bas-relief of Maya and Toltec players against a richly carved background of plants and serpents.

A

Great Ball Court, Chichen Itza, Yucatan

44
Q

Who is the Palenque’s most decorated leader?

A

Pakal the Great

45
Q

Most archaeologists believe that Machu Picchu was built as an estate for the Inca emperor ____

A

Pachacuti

46
Q

was used for ritual functions and the burial place of Pakal the Great

A

Temple of Inscriptions, Palenque

47
Q

has the oldest
known settlement in the New World

A

Sechin Bajo Complex, Peru