Mother Cultures
Which group is known as the “Mother Culture” of Mesoamerica?
Olmec
What geographic feature did the Aztec build their capital on?
Lake Texcoco
Where was the Maya civilization located?
Yucatán Peninsula / Guatemala
The Inca lived in which major mountain range?
Andes
What type of farming did the Inca use on mountains?
Terraces
The Olmec lived near which geographic area, and what resource made it fertile?
Gulf Coast lowlands; volcanic soil
Name TWO advantages of Tenochtitlan’s lake location.
Defense, trade, fertile soil, transportation
Name TWO important Maya achievements.
Astronomy, calendar, hieroglyphics, pyramids (any 2)
What was the title of the Inca ruler who was believed to be a god-king?
Sapa Inca
Why was Mesoamerican soil good for early farming?
Volcanic + fertile
Name TWO cultural contributions of the Olmec that influenced later civilizations.
Calendar, writing, math, ceremonial centers, stone heads (any 2)
The Aztec built floating gardens called what?
Chinampas
How did Maya astronomy affect daily life beyond timekeeping? (Name TWO areas)
It guided religious ceremonies AND farming/planting cycles.
Which record-keeping tool did the Inca use?
quipus
Which civilization relied on tribute for wealth and goods? AND How did Aztec tribute help their economy grow?
Aztec and Brought in goods + wealth
Why are the Chavín considered a mother culture of the Andes?
They spread religion + art across the region.
Which urban engineering feature allowed Tenochtitlan to expand despite being built on a lake?
Causeways and canals
What type of political structure did the Maya have, and what does this mean?
They were organized into city-states, meaning each city had its own ruler and government.
The Inca used relay runners called ______ to carry messages. Why are they important?
Chaskis. To deliver Fast messages + military movement → unity
How did religion influence government in either the Aztec OR Inca civilization?
Aztec: Religious authority supported rulers; human sacrifice reinforced power
OR
Inca: Sapa Inca claimed to be a descendant of the sun god, giving him divine authority
What major Zapotec site shows early city planning and writing, and why does that matter?
Monte Albán — shows organized urban planning + written communication
How did Montezuma I’s public works support a growing empire?
Dike managed floods → protected crops → stable food supply
How did Pakal’s long rule affect Palenque’s growth?
He built temples/aqueducts → strengthened religion + population
How did Huayna Capac’s death help the Spanish conquer the Inca?
Civil war → division → some groups supported Spain
Compare how the geography of the Maya and Inca influenced their farming methods. (How were they different?)
Maya farmed in tropical lowlands using basic agriculture;
Inca farmed in mountains using terraces to grow crops on steep slopes.