Olmec & Zapotec

Mesoamerica's landscape is primarily divided into two main geographic areas:

• mountains and farmland

• riverside and oceanside

• highlands and lowlands

• jungle and desert

Maize is also known as

• corn

• cacao

• palm oil

• squash

Slash-and-burn agriculture techniques were important to Mesoamerican civilizations because

• it allowed for dams to be built on the Yucatan Peninsula.

• it helped produce food surpluses.

• it kept dense jungles free from human involvment.

• it brought new recipes and ways of preserving food.

One of the most important Olmec gods was...

• the polytheistic god.

• the sun god.

• the jaguar god.

• the flamingo god.

As the mother culture of Mesoamerica, the Olmec civilization...

• disappeared suddenly because of riots.

• hired only brothers or sisters in trade centers.

• wore fine jewelry with precious stones.

• heavily influenced cultures that arose after them.

Both the Olmec and Zapotec...

(check all that apply)

• developed near fertile areas with rivers.

• were monotheistic.

• conquered large portions of modern-day Brazil.

• declined for unknown reasons.

The main crops grown in the drier highlands were...

(check all that apply)

• cacao

• squash

• corn

• beans

Beans, squash, and corn are called the Three Sisters because...

• they benefit from growing close together.

• their Spanish names sound like "sisters."

• the Olmec liked to eat them with their families.

Why did the Zapotec build terraces?

• As places to bury their dead.

• To use as ball courts.

• To create more land for farming.

How did farmers who use slash-and-burn agriculture fertilize their land?

• With manure from farm animals.

• With ash left from the burned plants and trees.

• With seaweed from the coastal areas.