Technological Practices

Question 1

How were the Maya buildings constructed

Answer 1

They were constructed in various shapes, sizes and the Maya knowledge of mathematics

Question 2

Who had this knowledge of mathematics?

Answer 2

The priest does

Question 3

What were the wealthier nobles homes built of ?

Answer 3

They were built of stone

Question 4

What did almost all homes consist of ?.

Answer 4

They consisted of one room,no windows,no doors,racks made of sampling laces in springy branches and the doorway were just a hung curtain with small copper bells

Question 5

What did women perform a good deal off

Answer 5

They performed a good deal of agricultural labour , mainly sowing weeding and reaping crops

Question 6

How could they determine the will of the Gods ?

Answer 6

They could do this by looking at the sunrise and the position of the sun moon and the planets

Question 7

What did the priest use some of the temples for ?

Answer 7

They used them for observatories

Question 8

List 3 of the things the other gods watched over

Answer 8

The maize,wind,water,war,human sacrifices and violent death
(any 3 of these )

Question 9

What did the goddesses control ?

Answer 9

They controlled floods and childbirth

Question 10

What was the name of the rain god ?

Answer 10

Chac

Question 11

How was a calendar created ?

Answer 11

This was created through the mathematical system combined with astronomical observations

Question 12

What form of writing did the Maya develop

Answer 12

The developed pictographs and a system of mathematics

Question 13

What was the calendar based on the solar year called and what was it made up of ?

Answer 13

It was called a Haab and it was made up of 18 months (uinals) 20 days or kind and 5 unlucky days (uayed)

Question 14

What was the scared calendar called and what was it used for ?

Answer 14

It was calls a Tzolkin and it is used for the special feast of the gods

Question 15

What is a long count ?

Answer 15

This is a method of reckoning time by counting every single day from the beginning of the Maya history

Question 16

What were the 2 kinds of cycle the Maya counted time in ?

Answer 16

The two kinds are the Katun ( a period of 7,200 days just short of 20years) and longer 52 year cycle

Question 17

What was their number system based on?

Answer 17

It was based on the figure 20

Question 18

What was the name of the number system and why was it called this ?

Answer 18

The name was a the whole man and it was called this because it used all toes and fingers

Question 19

What were the 2 ways Maya numbers were written ?

Answer 19

The two ways or as dots and dashes or as symbols and pictures

Question 20

How was the number 0 usually represented ?

Answer 20

A molluse shell

Question 21

What were the huge stone monuments that these numbers were carved on called and what was it used for ?

Answer 21

Stelae and it was used for important events

Question 22

What were the temples made with ?

Answer 22

They were made with earth and rubble covered with cut stone and then cemented with mortar

Question 23

What was the temple like ?

Answer 23

It had narrow steps which led up to a dark windowless temple and the entrance of the temple was through a carbelled arch

Question 24

Where did the nobles live ?

Answer 24

They lived in large homes which were built from sculptured stone

Question 25

How big was the governor at Uxmal ?

Answer 25

It was 96 meters long,12 meters wide and about 8 meters high

Question 26

What were at the top of the pyramids ?

Answer 26

At the top were observatories which the priest used to watch the movement of the stars and planets

Question 27

Where did the ordinary man live ?

Answer 27

They lived in a very small,simple,practical home .

Question 28

What was this home like ?

Answer 28

It was round,square or rectangular made of thick branches covered with adobe and rest on a stone foundation.

Question 29

What was the estimated time to built one of the great Maya pyramids

Answer 29

25,000 hours of work

Question 30

What was their most precious substance and what was it used for ?

Answer 30

Jade and it was used mainly for fashion

Question 31

What were the palaces and temples built of ?

Answer 31

They were built of stone and limestone blocks

Question 32

What material was used to form the temple platform ?

Answer 32

Rubble and cements and well as thick layers of plaster was used

Question 33

Describe the platform

Answer 33

It was four sided, stucco-covered stepped pyramid,stone mask of gods on every side and corbel vault principle

Question 34

Why did the market play an important role in the life of people ?

Answer 34

It was important as this is where you could exchange gossip and goods

Question 35

What are two examples of exchange of foods ?

Answer 35

Two examples are Maize for beans and salt for spices

Question 36

What was 2 things of the life of a farmer?

Answer 36

Two things was to make weapons and repair his house

Question 37

Why did young men show great respect to elders?

Answer 37

They showed great respect as the elders were the ones who taught them how to hunt,till the soil and observe religious rituals