OCN 105: exam #3
Diamond's 5 point framework
1) Environmental Damage - Past peoples and societies inadvertently damaged their environments. We do the same today, although for the most part we collectively are arguably more aware of the damage we are causing. Some environments are more fragile than others and so minor changes in the climate, for example, can have significant impacts on a society's ability to survive; especially if the society is over extended and requires the best circumstances and conditions to sustainably provide for its people. 2) Climate Change - Global, regional, and local climate can change. Climate can get hotter or colder, wetter or dryer, and how it varies and the timing can change. For most of human history, we, as a species, played no role in driving these changes. Recent studies suggest as early at 7,000 to 8,000 years ago that human farming activities started to alter global climate, but it is clear that since the start of the Industrial Revolution (1760) that human activities have significantly altered global climate. Until the past 200 or so years, we were unaware that our activities could impact global climate. 3) Hostile Neighbors - In many past cases, a society's relationship with neighbors played a role in its sustainability. In many situations, military defeats that caused societal collapse were truly caused by environmental and ecological damage that weakened the society to the point it could not effectively defend itself. 4) Friendly Trade Partners - Like the hostile neighbor factor, friendly trade partners could also play a role in a society's sustainability. Even a friendly trade partner can become a liability. For example, if they are weakened by environmental damage, they may be unable to provide the goods and services other societies require to be sustainable. 5) Society's Response to Environmental Problems - From Diamond's perspective, this factor always proves to be significant whereas any of the other four may not necessarily play a role. He argues that past societies had the opportunity to act in their own self-interest, but in cases of societal collapse did not do so and this is ultimately why they ending up failing.
Ancient Egyptian jobs and religion were based around the seasons. Match the ancient Egyptian seasons with the modern calendar months. A. January through April B. June through August C. September through December
1:A, 2:B, 3:C
Match the area with its description. A. Northern Lowlands B. Southern Highlands C. Southern Lowlands 1. Rainfall was strongly seasonal, abundant limestone, shallow water table 2. Consistent rainfall with some seasonal variability, abundant limestone, deep water table 3. Higher rainfall than the other regions, volcanic and metamorphic rock, deepest water table
1:A, 2:C, 3:B
What is the correct sequence of events that contributed to the Younger Dryas? A. The melting of the Laurentide ice sheet B. Partially fresh water from the Arctic mixing with the Atlantic Ocean C. A 1,000 year long drought D. A mega flood of fresh water running into the Arctic Ocean E. The slowing or stopping of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) which transports heat from the tropics F. The melting of glacial dams containing Agassiz Lake
1:A, 2:F, 3:D, 4:B, 5:E, 6:C The Laurentide ice sheet melted to form Agassiz Lake but was contained by massive glacial dams. As temperatures continued to rise, the dams melted and Agassiz Lake flowed across the landscape to the Arctic Ocean as a mega flood. The fresh water mixed with the Arctic and then the Atlantic Ocean, modifying the efficiency of the AMOC at dispersing heat in the ocean. This triggered a small ice age and a 1,000 year long drought across the globe.
Match the Maya class with its description. A. Common people B. Nobility C. Slaves D. Priests 1. Ruled based on the claim they had a direct connection with the spirit world 2. The scientist, engineers, alchemists, and astronomers of the day 3. Primarily farmers 4. Individuals that owed a debt or were captured in conflicts from neighboring states
1:B, 2:D, 3:A, 4:C
What contributed to sedentary behavior in Mesoamerica ~ 9,000 years ago? A. Large, migratory herd animals disappeared B. The average position of the ITCZ shifted more southward C. The change in climate created more grasslands favorable for farming D. All of the above
A Large, migratory herd animals disappeared due to a combination of climate and environmental changes (the climate warming coming out of the last glacial maximum) that resulted in the loss of the animals' preferred habit and food sources along with hunting pressure of the newly arrived hunter-fisher-gatherers to the region. With the loss of the migratory herd animals as a food source, the hunter-fisher-gathers had to adapt to meet their caloric needs and survive. Mesoamericans were forced to rely more heavily on localized food sources: smaller game animals and gathering nuts, seeds, and legumes. During this time, the average position of the ITCZ shifted more northward (rather than southward) thus bringing more rainfall over the course of a year to the areas that were previously grasslands. This additional rainfall supported the growth of trees that resulted in the ecosystem change from predominantly grasslands into seasonal tropical rainforests.
What was NOT an impact of the Agricultural Revolution? A. More diverse diets B. Specialization of labor C. Large organized communities D. The development of militias E. The development of new diseases
A More diverse diets was not an impact of the Agricultural Revolution. It was quite the opposite, in fact. Farmers/herders, eating mostly grains supplemented with some meat, had less nutritious, less diverse diets than HFGs. This led to smaller brain size and new diseases related to diet (obesity, heart disease, diabetes). In addition, large organized communities were living in close quarters with other humans and also with animals, contributing to the spread of new parasites and pathogens (disease causing agents). Farming itself was also time consuming and required specialization of labor. New types of repetitive use injuries occurred, e.g. strain on knees and shoulders from grinding grains all day. Cereal grains were particularly valuable because they could be stored long term. However, someone needed to protect the storage of grain so militias developed and were dedicated to that task.
Which statement is false? A. Around the world, beer was discovered accidentally while people were collecting grains to make bread. B. Fermenting grain to make beer was developed as early as 10,000 years ago. C. Beer provided the social liberation necessary to become more expansive in their thinking, as well as more collaborative and creative. D. Rigid social cooperation within Homo sapien clans ensured safety and survival, but discouraged exploration and inventiveness that make for a vibrant civilization.
A Recent evidence suggests that beer was actually being made before bread in many cases, as early as 10,000 years ago. Rigid social cooperation within Homo sapien clans did ensure safety and survival, and beer likely provided the social liberation from this rigidity that was necessary to become more expansive in their thinking, assisting the development of vibrant civilizations.
Studies of mouse molars from wild versus house mice revealed that: A. Hunter-gatherers alternated between nomadic and sedentary lifestyles for thousands of years before settling into agriculture. B. House mice could out compete wild mice even without human structures. C. There was a quick transition from migratory to sedentary lifestyle. D. There were excess food resources that mice evolved to eat.
A The critical new understanding that resulted from this study on mice was the transitions back and forth from wild to house to wild to house mice dominating the mice population in the area - this meant that hunter-gatherers probably alternated between nomadic and sedentary lifestyles for thousands of years before settling into agriculture.
Which statement is false? A. Ancient Maya culture was lost entirely with its collapse B. Trade with neighboring societies was not a factor in the Maya collapse C. The Maya made stone tools out of obsidian D. The Maya homeland is a seasonal tropical rainforest with risk of droughts and hurricanes E. The ancient Maya civilization left extensive decipher
A There are still Maya people living in their ancient homeland and speaking Maya languages. Because much ancient Maya culture survived the collapse, early European explorers recorded information about the contemporary Maya society that played a vital role in our understanding of ancient Maya society.
What contributed to the desertification of the Sahara (select all that apply)? A. A shift in Earth's natural orbital cycles B. Cooling of the northern hemisphere C. A southward shift of the monsoons D. Ancient Egyptians diverting water to farmlands
ABC A shift in Earth's natural orbital cycles (Milankovitch cycles) led to the cooling of the northern hemisphere and a southward shift of the monsoons and a drought for Egypt. Humans diverting water did not impact the large-scale desertification of the Sahara. The Nile is a geological phenomena that it has remained in one path for millions of years.
How did the advent of agriculture radically change human cultural evolution? Select all that apply. A. A food surplus allowed for advancements in technology, arts, and trade. B. People began to see themselves as caretakers of the world rather than part of nature. C. People began to value and take ownership of objects and property. D. Communities became more egalitarian.
ABC As food supply became more secure and dependable through farming and herding, people began to see themselves as caretakers, or "shepards," of the world which is reflected in religion. There was higher value in particular objects and locations because life was now sedentary rather than nomadic. With the storage of grains, there could be a surplus of food so people could do work outside of food collection. This allowed for advancements in technology, arts, and trade. As populations grew dramatically in localized areas, these communities actually became less egalitarian, with more social structure and the need for leadership.
What evidence is there for the Green Sahara (select all that apply)? A. A mega lake in the Sahara larger than the great lakes combined B. Saharan dust flux from deep-sea sediment cores C. Pollen from grasses and sedges in sediment core records D. Detailed ancient artwork depicting hippos and giraffes
ABCD All of these lines of evidence led scientists to believe that there was a Green Sahara period ~11,000 to 5,000 years ago allowing Savannah animals to live in the Sahara.
What new technologies helped to support ancient Egypt's agriculture (select all that apply)? A. New ways of record-keeping, such as calendars and the use of papyrus B. The nilometer to measure the depth of the Nile C. Water-lifting devices such as the shadoof and the noria D. Irrigation canals, dams, dikes, and water storage facilities
ABCD All of these new technologies were developed to maintain "the Mediterranean's richest breadbasket."
Check all that apply. What were the consequences of the agricultural limitations according to Diamond? A. There was limited duration and distance possible for their military campaigns. B. A Maya farmer could produce only twice the needs of himself and his family, so at least 70% of Maya society consisted of peasant farmers to supply enough food for their entire society. C. Maya cities remained small, mostly less than one square mile in area and with populations less than 50,000 people. D. Maya society remained politically divided among small kingdoms that would go in and out of conflict with each other.
ABCD Because of the limitations of food production, storage, and transportation, Maya cities remained small and politically divided. Maya armies remained small and unable to mount lengthy campaigns over long distances as they could not transport enough food to sustain far-reaching military campaigns.
Why is it important to understand the cause and impacts of the Younger Dryas? Select all that apply. A. To understand the sustainability and survival of human civilization B. To know that climate changes can occur quickly C. To predict the impact of current continental ice melt D. To understand the transition to agriculture in our ancestral history
ABCD The Younger Dryas corresponds with the disappearance of the Clovis culture which was one of the first widespread cultures on the American continent. The drought during the Younger Dryas had a critical impact on the transition to depending on agriculture. Before studying the Younger Dryas and mega floods, scientists were reluctant to believe that geological processes impacting climate could happen so rapidly. Current global warming has led to polar ice melting which has feedback to global climate. Studying past climate events triggered by ice melt may help us predict future conditions.
Check all that apply. What limited trade and transportation? A. lack of abundant navigable riverways connecting major cities B. lack of transport technology such as wheels C. lack of large population of slaves D. lack of large animals
ABCD These limitations to trade and transportation also contributed to the separation of the kingdoms (never one unified civilization) since people were dependent on local agriculture
Check all that apply. According to Diamond, what factors contributed to the Maya collapse? A. The most severe drought the Maya civilization had experienced B. Maya kings and nobles failing to recognize and solve the long-term problems undermining their society C. Population growth outstripping available resources D. Warfare over fewer resources which further reduced land available for farming E. Deforestation and hillside erosion reducing the amount of useable farmland
ABCDE All of these events contributed to the Classic collapse according to the reading. A reduction in resources was no longer able to support the large population. Maya environmental and population problems led to increasing warfare and civil strife. Meanwhile, Maya kings sought to outdo each other with more and more impressive temples, covered with thicker and thicker plaster, ignoring the threats to their society.
Check all that apply. What nuances complicate the story of Maya collapse? A. Many cities experienced "power cycling" where the leadership changed hands but the population itself remained the same. B. Cities in different areas where the Maya lived rose and fell at different times. C. There were hundreds of thousands of Maya who survived the collapse and lived to fight the Spaniards. D. Population collapse was slow in some areas and faster in others. E. There were smaller collapses before and after the larger "Classic" collapse that occurred in ~ A.D. 800.
ABCDE Some archeologists are hesitant to identify one main collapse because of these complications. However, the disappearance of between 90 and 99% of the Maya population after A.D. 800, especially in the formerly most densely populated area of the southern lowlands, and the disappearance of kings, Long Count calendars, and other complex political and cultural institutions, points to a major collapse that warrants explanation.
Check all that apply. What are the advantages of the milpa-forest garden agriculture? A. About two-thirds of the farmland is actually maintained as forest B. The cycle of slash and burn, growing mixed crops, and then allowing the forest to regrow helps recycle and retain soil nutrients C. This type of farming supports biodiversity including wild animal life D. There are few issues with erosion since the soil is not plowed E. It provides additional valuable goods and services such as building supplies and medicines
ABCDE The milpa-forest system does not have issues with water retention, soil nutrient depletion, deforestation, or erosion. The forest provides habitat for wild animals as well as goods and services such as building supplies and medicines.
Check all that apply. What technology was developed and natural features were used to access and store water? A. Drilled wells (up to 90 ft deep) B. Aguadas C. Chultuns D. Cenotes E. Lakes and freshwater lagoons F. Water seals such as impermeable clay, stone, or plaster to help retain water. G. Cities with infrastructure built to channel, collect, and sometimes get rid of water.
ABCDEFG All of these natural and technological ways were used to access and store water.
Check all that apply. What were the limitations of Maya agriculture according to Diamond? A. Corn agriculture was less productive B. The Maya had no animal-powered transport or plows C. In some areas, there were water shortages resulting from the local geological features (low water table and limestone) and occasional droughts D. The humid climate made it difficult to store corn E. Relying entirely on swidden agriculture practices as their only method of farming meant crop fields had to be abandoned to recover soil fertility F. The dominant crop, corn, yielded little protein
ABCDF Maya did not rely on swidden agriculture alone and developed agricultural structures and techniques to increase productivity: terracing, irrigation systems, raised- or drained-field systems, mulching, floodwater farming, shortening the time that a field is left fallow, and tilling the soil to restore soil fertility, or in the extreme omitting the fallow period entirely and growing crops every year, or in especially moist areas growing two crops per year.
The Natufians (select all that apply) A. developed the first sedentary society B. were egalitarian hunter-gatherers C. lived 13,000 - 10,500 years ago in the Mesolithic D. died out unexpectedly in the early Neolithic E. lived in the Levant region
ABCE The Mesolithic Natufians were egalitarian hunter-gatherers that developed the first sedentary lifestyle in the Levant region. Into the Neolithic, they became more reliant on domesticated plants and animals and lived in villages year round.
Check all that apply. What are the advantages of terraced agriculture? A. They act as a reservoir for water during the dry season B. The terracing helps retain soil C. Topsoil and nutrients are permanently retained D. They work in mountain areas with rocky soil and steep slopes
ABD While terraced techniques did allow for agriculture practices in rugged terrain, the topsoil and nutrients are eventually lost and this occurs faster on steeper slopes.
Why is Göbekli Tepe so important? Select all that apply. A. It shows collaboration between different HFG groups as a communal ritual site. B. The artwork features the human form rather than just animals. C. It showed the existence of social hierarchy. D. It was the first ever structure built by humans. E. It may provide a connection to the development of written language.
ABE While Göbekli Tepe was one of the first permanent structures to be built by humans, but there were many non-permanent structures built before the Göbekli Tepe. The Göbekli Tepe was a shared, communal site which required collaboration between different groups and tribes with artwork and T-structures that represent people. The architecture as well as communication between different tribes has led scientists to hypothesize that Göbekli Tepe might be a link to the development of written language.
Paleoenvironmental records from Mesoamerican lake sediment cores show that (select all that apply): A. Precipitation increased between 12,000 - 9,000 years ago B. There was a shift from rainforests to grasslands ~9,000 years ago C. Forbs dominated until ~ 9,000 years ago D. Forbs dominated during the Holocene Thermal Maximum
AC Precipitation, measured by % titanium oxide, did increase from 12,000 - 9,000 years ago. Forbs, measured by % Forbs pollen, dominated until ~ 9,000 years ago when Ramon took over. Ramon dominated during the Holocene Thermal Maximum. The shift from Forbs (grasses) to Ramon (a tropic tree) indicated a shift from grasslands to rainforests.
Check all that apply. What are the advantages of raised bed agriculture? A. The aquatic animals living in the canals can also be collected for food B. They can be used in dry highland areas C. The fertile soil from the canals can be put on the beds to replenish nutrients D. The beds are self-watering
ACD Raised bed agriculture was not used in dry highland areas, instead this technique was used in lowlands, coastal areas, and swamps.
Why has the Nile River remained in the same place for 30 million years? A. Rivers will stay in the same place as long as there is consistent rain. B. A magma hot spot in Earth's interior creates a slope from Ethiopia to the Mediterranean Sea. C. Rocks surrounding the river bed are impenetrable so the river stays in place. D. Ancient Egyptians created dams and canals which controlled the flow of the river.
B Rivers tend to meander and change their path frequently, even annually. The Nile River is unique because it has remained in roughly the same location for 30 million years. A persistent hot spot under Ethiopia which leads to rising magma pushes up the Earth's crust creating the Ethiopian mountains. The Nile follows the slope from the mountains to the Mediterranean Sea. Although ancient Egyptians did create dams and canals which controlled the flow of the river, they did not alter the overall path of the river from Ethiopia to the Mediterranean in the Nile River Valley.
What is the correct sequence of events? A. Hunter-Fisher-Gatherer, Farming, Sedentism B. Hunter-Fisher-Gatherer, Sedentism, Farming C. Neither
B Sedentism pre-dates farming and agriculture. The existence of house mice living alongside humans 15,000 ya shows that humans were sedentary before beginning to farm.
What are the Milankovitch cycles? A. The cycles of drought in Egypt B. The cycle of changes in Earth's wobble, tilt, and orbit C. The cycles of rainfall in Ethiopia D. The cycle of winds in a convection system
B The Milankovitch cycles are changes in Earth's wobble, tilt, and orbit that occur on a schedule of 20,000 to 100,000 years. The Milankovitch cycles affect global climate by changing the distribution of solar radiation and can lead to drought periods in Egypt. The annual cycle of rainfall in Ethiopia is called the monsoons.
Times when the summer monsoons were less intense at the Blue Nile in Ethiopia (upstream river that flows into the Nile) led to (select all that apply): A. warfare with surrounding civilizations B. famine and instability C. civil unrest and political turnover D. excessive flooding E. a lack of fertile black silt in the soil
BCE The reduced intensity of summer monsoons in Ethiopia also reduced the summer flooding of the Nile, which the ancient Egyptians had grown dependent on. The lack of flood water and fertile soil reduced farming and food production leading to periods of famine and instability. This led to civil unrest and political turnover (revolts and then new leaders).
What is the paradox of farming/food production? A. Food production was a by-product of decisions made without knowing the consequence. B. People sought food that tasted good but did not maximize their return of calories. C. Farming communities were less well nourished than HFGs because human population densities rose slightly more steeply than did the availability of food. D. Farming would predictably yield a lot of vegetables several months from now, whereas hunting would possibly yield a lot of meat today, but more likely nothing.
C As described in the reading, the paradox is that food production, while increasing the quantity of edible calories per acre, left the food producers less well nourished than the hunter-gatherers whom they succeeded because of the positive feedback between food production and population growth. People did seek to maximize their return of calories, protein, or other specific food categories by foraging in a way that yields the most return with the greatest certainty in the least time for the least effort. While A and D are correct statements, they do not describe the paradox.
What allowed for sedentary behavior? Select all that apply. A. Irrigation technology B. A novel behavior of manipulating the environment to get resources C. A warmer, more stable climate D. Dependable access to wild game and plants E. Agriculture
CD A warmer, more stable climate led to dependable access to wild game and plants without having to migrate seasonally. HFGs, however, did manipulate their environment to their benefit, such as burning forests and building walls to funnel herds, before developing sedentary lifestyles. Irrigation and agriculture were developed after sedentary behavior.
What happened during the "4.2k event"? A. There was a shift in climate that led to aridification of the region B. There was a decline in rainfall C. The amount of water flowing in the rivers declined. D. All of the above. E. Only A and B.
D The answer is D. There was a cooling of near-surface ocean temperatures in the North Atlantic that coincided with the period, that could have changed the atmospheric circulation patterns. This pushed the rain into different latitude bands from where they had been for the previous several thousand years.
How did civilizations adapt to the unpredictable floodings of the rivers? A. They built large reservoir dams to store water. B. They used water lifts to transport water to flood furrowed fields. C. They used sluices and diversion ditches to drain fields. D. All the above.
D The correct answer is D. Because flooding was unpredictable, they had to adapt by inventing technologies that would help them when the rivers were at their highest and lowest.
Cenotes were abundant in the rainy Southern Highlands where limestone is abundant. TrueFalse
False Cenotes are created by the weathering of limestone. Cenotes were abundant in the dry Northern Lowlands where limestone is abundant. The rainy Southern Highlands, by contrast, are dominated by volcanic and metamorphic rock.
Over 80% of the water in the Nile River comes from the White Nile River originating at Lake Victoria 3,000 miles away. True False
False Contrary to what was first believed, over 80% of the water in the Nile River actually comes from the Blue Nile River tributary originating at Lake Tana 3,000 miles away.
Cuneiform is a type of building structure. True False
False Cuneiform is a form of writing that was used by the Sumerians to record their annual amount of harvests, weather records, trade records, etc.
The benefits of farming were so abundant and apparent that HFGs switched to farming immediately when the technology was developed. True False
False Early farmers actually spent more time and effort to acquire food than hunter-fisher-gatherers. The transition to farming was slow, stepwise, and in many cases people alternated between the lifestyles when it suited them or had a combination of both. In some cases the hunter-gatherers adopted the neighboring system of food production (cereal crops, pulse crops, and livestock) as a complete package; in others they chose only certain elements of it; and in still others they rejected food production entirely and remained hunter-gatherers. Ultimately though, they were displaced by neighboring farmers, or else they survived only by adopting food production themselves.
The African Humid Period, or Green Sahara, ~11,000 to 5,000 years ago, was an isolated event that occurred only once in the past 8 million years. True False
False Green Sahara events have occurred 230 times in the past 8 million years caused by changes in the planet's wobble, tilt, and orbit that impact monsoons and climate.
The Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is a band of rainfall in the tropics that is located farther south in the northern hemisphere summer than in the winter and is responsible for summer monsoons in India. True Falseq
False The ITCZ is located farther north in the northern hemisphere summer. It is responsible for the dramatic summer monsoons in India which account for 90% of their annual rainfall.
The Maya had a centralized ruling authority comprised of subordinate regional kingdoms. TrueFalse
False The Maya did not have a centralized ruling authority, rather the Maya were a patchwork of many regional kingdoms or independent states, each ruled by royal or noble families.
The transition to sedentism led to more community or tribe-oriented societies with less social hierarchy. True False
False The transition to sedentism actually led to a departure from community or tribe-oriented societies with more emphasis on the importance of their family living in the structure that they built. This mentality led to the class system and private property. One line of evidence for self-importance is the development of art and religious idols that resemble humans rather than animals.
Mesopotamia is a Greek term that means "the land between rivers". The two rivers were the Nile River and Euphrates River. True False
False The two rivers were the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in Mesopotamia that pushed civilizations to adapt their farming techniques.
There was an area within the Fertile Crescent where most of the technological advancements occurred called the Garden Square. True False
False There was an area in the northern region of the Fertile Crescent where most of the technological advancements, but it is called the Golden Triangle. It contains the structures of Göbekli Tepe among others.
The Uruk model of city-states included houses that were spread out throughout the city. Each house had its own garden that they harvested. This model lacked walls that provided protection against enemies. True False
False This model was the opposite. It included a center core with houses, merchants, etc. providing the majority of the structures around the temple. A wall was also built around the center core. Orchards and gardens for fruits and other more seasonal crops were looked after as a community.
Ancient Egyptian farmers experienced the same soil salinization problems as the Sumerians. True False
False Unlike the Sumerians, ancient Egyptians did not have the same soil salinization problems (a toxic build up of salts in the topsoil). This is because Egyptian fields were elevated above the river and were seasonally flooded in the summer and fall. When the water receded into the soil, there was no clay barrier so the salts were pulled away from the topsoil with the water, but the nutrient-rich fertile silt was left at the surface.
The relative scale of environmental manipulation was equivalent for HFGs and farming/herding communities. True False
False While HFGs did manipulate their environment (e.g. through burns to promote grass growth, spreading seeds, hunting wild animals to collapse), farming/herding began an age of environmental impact on a much larger scale that has continued to today. The Agricultural Revolution led to deforestation to clear land or use ashes as fertilizer, desertification by diverting away natural water flow, removal of native plant species, large-scale urban development, changing the course of evolution for plants and animals through artificial selection of certain traits, soil erosion and nutrient depletion, mass extinction of wild animals in favor of domesticated ones. Today, wild animals are only 10% of all land animal biomass.
Sedentism, or staying in one place rather than moving with the seasons, was the result of the development of agriculture. True False
False Sedentism did not result from the development of agriculture, but rather the changes in climate that made access to wild food more reliable reducing the need to migrate with seasonal changes.
The Younger Dryas was a small ice age that occured 13,000 years ago and lasted for 1,000 years. True False
True About 14,500 years ago, Earth's climate began to shift from a cold glacial world to a warmer interglacial state. Partway through this transition, temperatures suddenly returned to near-glacial conditions which temporarily reversed the gradual climatic warming. This reversal event is called the Younger Dryas, a small ice age that occured 13,000 years ago and lasted for 1,000 years.
Deforestation can lead to hillside erosion, reduced soil fertility, and a man-made drought. True False
True According to Diamond, the Maya cleared forests on hillsides to be used for fuel or plaster in building construction. This led to erosion of the hillside soil blanketing the valley soil with unfertile and acidic hillside soil. Deforestation leads to decreased rainfall and eventually drought.
Lake sediment cores were used to identify drought conditions from gypsum and oxygen isotope measurements as well as deforestation from pollen records. True False
True Modern scientists used lake sediment cores to identify the time periods of drought and deforestation in ancient Maya civilization
The south-easterly winds during the summer monsoon bring moist air from the ocean towards East Africa, thus causing heavy rainfall in Ethiopia from June to September. True False
True Monsoons, which occur all over the world, are characterized by the switching of wind patterns in different seasons. In this region, the south-easterly winds (i.e. coming from the south-east) during the summer monsoon bring moist air from the ocean towards East Africa, thus causing heavy rainfall in Ethiopia from June to September.
An agricultural society dependent on the rivers made them vulnerable to enemies who were situated upstream. True False
True Societies who lived upstream had the power to block, divert or manipulate water flow to those who lived downstream. This was a way to gain power or control over the downstream societies.
The three Intermediate Periods in the history of ancient Egypt mark the collapse of Egyptian governments (the Old, Middle, and then New Kingdom) caused by natural cycles of drought. True False
True The Intermediate Periods did follow and mark the collapse of the Kingdoms. They were caused by the instability and famine from natural drought cycles.
Large volcanic eruptions cause droughts in monsoon areas by releasing sulfurous gases and aerosols into the stratosphere which reflect solar radiation. True False
True The authors explain that sulfurous gases released during a powerful volcano can form reflective sulfate aerosols in the stratosphere. Because these aerosols reflect solar radiation, they lead to a cooling effect that can last for one to two years. This, in turn, affects what is known as the hydroclimate, including the amount of surface evaporation and rainfall, causing droughts.
The milpa-forest garden technique is highly productive and sustainable; therefore, it seems unlikely that environmental degradation was a driver of Maya collapse. True False
True Unlike Jared Diamond claimed, the Maya agricultural techniques were likely sustainable and not environmentally degrading.
