Mesoamerican Cultures
What crop was NOT typical of pre-Colombian agriculture in Mesoamerica?
Wheat -Grains like wheat and barley were brought over by the Spaniards in times of colonization. The other choices were common crops in Mesoamerica. Chinampa, sediment formations, were used to produce the crops of the other choices.
Which is a correct statement about Quetzalcoatl?
a Mesoamerican deity of wind and wisdom, represented as a "feathered serpent" -Quetzalcoatl was a deity revered by many Mesoamerican cultures including the Aztec, Toltec and Olmec. His name in Maya language is Kukulcán, but the name "Quetzalcoatl" is from the Nahuatl language, meaning "feathered serpent. " Depictions and imagery of Quetzalcoatl appear in many sites in Mesoamerica.
Which of these is a defining feature of Olmec art and culture?
colossal stone heads -The Olmec colossal heads are one of the most recognizable features of their art and culture. Carved from volcanic basalt, the heads are believed to represent rulers of the Olmec people, often dressed as ballplayers.
What material was commonly used by the Aztecs as a substitute for metal weapons?
obsidian -The macuahuitl is a common Aztec weapon consisting of a wooden blade with obsidian shards as a cutting surface.
Moctezuma II was ruler of which culture during the Spanish conquest of modern-day Mexico?
the Aztec -Moctezuma was the leader of the Aztec Empire when the Spanish arrived, so that would be the best answer. The Mayan Empire also existed during that time but they did no have a leader by that name, so they would not be a good choice. The Olmec civilization had declined and been subsumed into the Aztec Empire by then, so they too would not be a good choice. The Inca were not based in modern-day Mexico, so they would not be the best answer here. And the Algonquin were in North America, so they too would not be a good answer.
Which of the following was a Mesoamerican culture renowned for its astronomy and mathematics?
the Maya -The Inca were not mesoamerican, they were based firmly in South America, and so they would not be the best choice. The Aztecs were based in modern Central America but they were not known for their astronomy or mathematics, so they would not be the best choice. The Olmecs arguably invented zero before the Mayans, however they were not known for their astronomy, so they would not be the best choice. Lastly, the Mayans were known for the accuracy of their astrological calendars and their calculations concerning celestial bodies, so they would be the best answer here.
Which of the following was the earliest of the major Mesoamerican cultures, and who laid the groundwork for common social features such as long-count calendars, bloodletting rituals, and ballgames?
the Olmec -The Olmecs are among the earliest cultures of Mesoamerica and predated all of the other answers - as well as developing the salient social features - so they would be the best answer. The Maya appear to follow the Olmec by approximately five centuries, so while they were an early and influential civilization, they would not be the best answer. The Aztec came to power in the 14th century, so they too would not be a good answer. Lastly, the Inca were a long-lasting civilization, but they were not Mesoamerican, so they would not be the best answer.
Which of the following is a theory that explains the collapse of the Maya civilization?
-Epidemic disease. -Overpopulation. -Foreign invasion. -Environmental disaster. --There are many theories of why the Maya civilization collapsed which are debated by historians today. Great Maya centers like Palenque, Tikal and Copan saw decline in the 8th and 9th centuries, however this did not mean the end of the Maya civilization. Nevertheless, there is no universally accepted theory that explains the decline.
Which of the following was NOT characteristic of many Mesoamerican cultures?
A high regard to the preparation of the afterlife -A high regard for preparing for the afterlife was more characteristic of the Egyptians, rather than cultures of Mesoamerica. Mesoamerican cultures were more characteristic of the cosmos and religion. The other answers are correct characteristics of Mesoamerican cultures.
The Triple Alliance was another name for which Mesoamerican empire?
Aztec Empire -The Aztecs were actually an alliance of the city states of Texcoco, Tlacopan, and Tenochtitlan. Speakers of the Nahuatl language, the states in central Mexico came to dominate other cities throughout the region through demands of tribute. The primary city-state in the alliance was Tenochtitlan.
Which aquaculture technique was used by the Aztecs to grow crops in shallow bodies of fresh water?
Chinampa -The chinampa was an extension of land into a fresh body of water that the Aztecs built to grow crops. They were built of lake sediments formed in rectangular shapes and were used to grow crops like tomatoes, maize, squash, beans and chili peppers. At the time of the Spanish conquest, an extensive system of chinampas was found in Lake Texcoco and Lake Xochimilco, which is presently Mexico City. Today both tourists and Mexicans alike enjoy rides in brightly colored boats called trajineras through Xochimilco's chinampas and canals.
Which was NOT a center of the Mayan civilization?
Monte Alban -Monte Alban, one of the first great cities of Mesoamerica, was the center of the Zapotec civilization. It is located in present-day Oaxaca, Mexico. Uxmal, Chichen Itza, Tikal and Copan were important Maya centers.
