Mayan Civilization Quiz

What reasons have convinced historians that the Mayans were warlike?

• massive fortifications

• monuments, pottery, paintings that depict war

• The slaves were used to fight their battles.

• mass grave with gruesome, warlike deaths

Historians used to think the Mayans were a peaceful society but have since changed their mind. What are at least TWO reasons that could have forced the Mayans to become more warlike?

• The Mayans fought over whether slaves should be freed

• The Mayan needed more land to farm

• The Mayans argued over who was next in line to rule

• The Mayans had to fight off the Spanish who invaded their land

What are the reasons that disease may have caused the Mayan downfall?

• The Peregrinus maidis spread a virus which infected the top Mayan crop: maize

• High humidity in tropical areas of Central America make conditions for disease suitable

• Many Howler monkeys native to Central America are known carriers of yellow fever which could be transmitted to humans via the mosquito

• Disease destroyed the Mayans main crop, potatoes, leading to starvation.

True or False. Slash and burn was used heavily in forested areas by cutting down the trees and the ash left behind providing nutrients to the soil

• True

• False

True or False. Slash and burn is a sustainable farming technique because the ash which provides nutrients lasts a lifetime.

• True

• False

True or False. The Mayan population continued to grow, but there was not enough food to support it.

• True

• False

True or False. Terrace farming was a way to turn hillsides into farmland.

• True

• False

True or False. In a Maya climate study, bats in caves were used to link climate swings to the fall of the Mayan empire.

• True

• False

True or False. Stalagmites grew rapidly during the early development of the Mayan Civilization due to an unusually wet season.

• True

• False

True or False. From 660 CE to 1000 CE, agriculture declined as periods of extreme droughts occurred.

• True

• False