Olmecs
What continent did the Olmec civilization live on?
North America
What kind of food was very important to the Maya diet and culture?
Corn (maize)
What was the name of the Aztec capital city?
Tenochtitlán
What was the name of the Zapotec capital city?
Monte Albán
What was the name of the Mixtec capital city?
Tututepec
What were the Olmecs best known for creating?
Giant stone heads (carved from basalt)
What type of structures are the Maya famous for building?
Pyramids and temples
What modern-day country did the Aztecs live in?
Mexico
What kind of economy did the Zapotecs have?
The Zapotecs had an agricultural economy based on maize, beans, and squash, but they also engaged in trade, exchanging goods like obsidian, textiles, and ceramics.
True or False: The Mixtecs were known for building large pyramids like the Aztecs.
False - The Mixtecs are more famous for their art, including goldwork and codices, rather than large pyramid construction like the Aztecs.
In what countries did the Olmec civilization exist in?
Mexico/Veracruz/Tabasco (Gulf Coast Region)
What system did the Maya develop to record their history and beliefs?
A writing system called hieroglyphics (or Maya glyphs)
What farming method did the Aztecs use to grow crops on water?
Chinampas (floating gardens)
What was one of the main features of Zapotec architecture?
They built large pyramids, ball courts, and plazas in their cities, with Monte Albán being known for its grand plaza and observatory.
What was the Mixtec writing system used for?
The Mixtec writing system, which used pictographs and glyphs, was used to record historical events, genealogies, and religious ceremonies.
Why are the Olmecs often called the "mother culture" of Mesoamerica?
They developed many cultural religious practices that influenced later civilizations like the Maya and Aztecs. (EX: Pyramid building, calendar system, ritual ball game, etc.)
What was the purpose of the Maya calendar system?
To track religious events, farming cycles, and historical dates—it included both a solar and ritual calendar
Who was the main god the Aztecs worshipped, especially with human sacrifices?
Huitzilopochtli, the god of sun and war
The Zapotecs are known for having one of the earliest writing systems in Mesoamerica. What was this system called?
Zapotec writing (or the Zapotec script)
What was the role of the Mixtec warriors in their society?
Mixtec warriors were crucial to their society, often engaging in battles for territorial expansion and prestige. They were also responsible for capturing prisoners for religious sacrifices.
What evidence suggests that the Olmecs had a form of writing or symbolic communication?
Archaeologists have discovered carved symbols, such as the Cascajal Block, which may represent the earliest known form of writing in Mesoamerica.
Why did the Maya practice bloodletting and human sacrifice in their religious ceremonies?
They believed blood was a sacred offering that nourished the gods and kept the world in balance.
What role did poetry and music play in Aztec society, and who participated in it?
Poetry and music were highly respected art forms used in religious rituals, celebrations, and education. Nobles, priests, and even emperors like Nezahualcóyotl were known to compose poetry that expressed deep thoughts about life, death, and the gods
How did the Zapotecs influence other Mesoamerican civilizations?
The Zapotecs introduced innovations in writing, astronomy, and calendar systems, which influenced the Mixtecs, and later, the Maya and Aztec civilizations.
The Mixtecs were skilled artisans. What famous art form are they especially known for?
The Mixtecs are famous for their intricate goldwork and codices, which were illustrated manuscripts that recorded their history, genealogies, and rituals.