Category 1: Early Civilizations of Mesoamerica
This civilization is often called the "mother culture" of Mesoamerica.
What is the Olmec civilization?
This civilization developed an extensive road network and used knotted cords for record-keeping.
What is the Inca Empire?
This Mesoamerican civilization developed a base-20 number system and the concept of zero.
What is the Maya civilization?
What were the Olmecs known for that influenced future Mesoamerican cultures?
The Olmecs are known for their religious practices, monumental architecture, and distinctive art style, especially the colossal heads. Later civilizations, such as the Maya, adopted some Olmec religious and cultural elements.
This term describes a society with ranked social classes where different roles are defined.
What is a social hierarchy?
Known for its pyramids and advanced city layout, this civilization’s center was located in present-day Mexico.
What is Teotihuacan?
Known for irrigation and large adobe structures, this culture thrived along the northern coast of Per
What is the Moche civilization?
The Incas used these for keeping records and for communication across their empire.
What are quipus?
How did the Inca Empire maintain control over its large territory?
The Incas used an extensive road network and a relay system of messengers to communicate across the empire. They also used quipus for record-keeping and required local leaders to report to the emperor.
An economy that relies on the exchange of goods, which was common among early Mesoamerican societies.
What is a trade-based economy?
The Maya civilization is famous for its accomplishments in this specific field, which helped them create an accurate calendar.
This American civilization
What is astronomy?
Who are the Zapotecs?
This Andean culture is known as one of the earliest influential civilizations in South America.
What is the Chavín culture?
The Maya used this game with religious significance, often played in ball courts across their cities.
What is the Mesoamerican ballgame?
Why is the Maya civilization notable in mathematics and astronomy?
The Maya developed a sophisticated calendar system based on their observations of celestial bodies. They also used a base-20 number system and understood the concept of zero, which was rare for the time.
A term for the independent city-states that made up the Maya civilization.
What are city-states?
The Olmecs are known for creating these massive stone sculptures, each resembling a unique head.
What are colossal heads?
This site, dating to around 900 BCE, served as a key religious center for the Chavín civilization.
What is Chavín de Huántar?
This type of farming, developed by the Incas, allowed cultivation on steep mountain slopes.
What is terrace farming?
What role did religion play in Mayan society?
Religion was central to Mayan society, influencing both political and social structures. They built large temples and practiced complex rituals, believing they could communicate with gods and ancestors to ensure prosperity.
This farming method was developed by the Incas to grow crops on mountainsides.
What is terrace farming?
The Inca term for a group of families who shared land and resources
What is an ayllu?
Known for their centralized administration, the Incas governed their empire from this city.
What is Cuzco?
The Moche used this material for building large structures and creating intricate pottery.
What is adobe?
What were the main factors in the rise and fall of Teotihuacan?
Teotihuacan thrived due to its strategic location for trade and agricultural productivity. Its decline may have been due to social unrest, drought, or invasion, leading to the city's eventual abandonment.
The Inca term for a group of families who shared land and resources.
What is an ayllu?