OLMEC
Where did the Olmec civilization develop?
Along the Gulf Coast of what is now Mexico.
Where did the Maya civilization develop?
Present-day Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and Belize.
What was the name of the Aztec capital?
Tenochtitlán
Where was the Inca Empire located?
In the Andes Mountains of South America.
Which food was first domesticated in the Americas?
A. Corn
B. Bananas
C. Wheat
D. Oranges
Corn
Around what years did the Olmec flourish?
1200–800 B.C.E.
What type of government/religious system did the Maya have?
A theocracy, meaning religious leaders ruled the society.
According to Aztec legend, what sign told them where to build their city?
An eagle with a snake in its beak sitting on a cactus.
What farming technique did the Inca use on steep mountain slopes?
Terraces
Which of these animals was commonly domesticated by people in the Andes?
A. Camel
B. Llama
C. Horse
D. Cow
Llama
What were the Olmec famous for creating?
Gigantic stone heads.
What did Maya priests study that helped them create a 365-day calendar?
Astronomy and mathematics.
What did the Aztec require conquered peoples to provide?
Tribute, such as food and other goods.
Why did the Inca build thousands of miles of roads?
To help connect and unify their large empire.
Before Europeans arrived, horses were NOT native to the Americas. Which animal was an important form of transportation and pack animal for the Inca?
A. Llama
B. Elephant
C. Camel
D. Zebra
Llama
About how tall could some Olmec stone heads be?
Up to about 11 feet tall.
What were Maya hieroglyphics?
Symbols or pictures representing things, ideas, and sounds.
Why was Tenochtitlán especially impressive?
It was built on an island and included causeways, fields, marketplaces, and impressive structures.
What was the Inca's official language?
Quechua
The Inca used a system of knotted cords to keep track of information. What were these cords called?
A. Quipu
B. Codex
C. Glyph
D. Tikal
Quipu
Why are the Olmec important even though their civilization eventually declined?
They strongly influenced later cultures and civilizations in the region.
Name two possible reasons for the decline of the Maya civilization.
Any two: overpopulation, drought, or warfare.
What role did religion play in Aztec society?
Religion was central to their culture, and they believed human sacrifices were necessary to please the gods and ensure good harvests.
What famous Inca site was a city devoted to religious ceremonies?
Machu Picchu.
Which modern-day country has the largest population of Indigenous people descended from the Maya civilization?
A. Mexico
B. Canada
C. Argentina
D. Brazil
Mexico