Maya Civilization Quiz

Which of the following descriptions BEST describes the location of the Maya Civilization

• Modern-day Mexico City

• Around the present day border of the United States

• Modern-day Yucatan Peninsula near the resort town of Cancun.

• Southern Central America near the modern-day country of Panama.

The Maya built cities such as Tikal and Chichen Itza. Most advanced Mayan cities included all of the following EXCEPT....

• A ball court where Mayans would host games

• Giant pyramids and temples used for religious ceremonies

• Palaces which served as the residence of the God-King.

• Large irrigation channels to help with growing their major crops.

The Maya relied on three main staple crops which included _______, _______ & _______

Farming in the Maya civilization led to wealth and the creation of social classes. Which of the following was the social hierarchy in the Maya Civilization

• -Noble class (priests & warriors)

  -Merchants, artisans

  -Peasants

• -King

  -Priests & Warriors

  -Serfs

  -Enslaved Workers

• -God-King

  -Noble class of warriors

  -Merchants, Artistans, Farmers, Craftsmen

  -Conquered citizens

• -Noble class

  -Lords

  -Knights

  -Serfs (Peasants)

  -Slaves

True or False: The Mayans were polytheistic who often honored their gods with blood sacrifices

• True

• False

The Maya were a very advanced group of people who often were credited with many major discoveries. Which of the following were major discoveries by the Maya?

• Chocolate

• 365 day calendar

• Floating Gardens called chinampas

• Math system based on the number 20

• Astrolabe used for navigation

Provide three major pieces of evidence to show how the Maya Civilization was warlike.

One reason for the downfall of the Maya civilization was that their food crop was tainted by ___________ carrying a virus.

One of the theories as to why the Maya disappeared was a result of famine. How did "slash and burn" methods they used possibly lead to a major famine that swept across their civilization?

After investigating the decline of the Maya Civilization, you need to decide for which reason do YOU think caused the Maya to disappear (WARFARE, DISEASE, FAMINE, DROUGHT OR A COMBINATION). You will then need to provide TWO pieces of supporting evidence from you investigation.