U5Wk24L2 - PdM (M): Pre-Columbian Civilizations Quiz

Can you guess which city was the heart of the Mayan empire?

• Palenque

• Tikal

Answer explanation

The correct choice is Tikal, as it was the heart of the Mayan empire, serving as a major cultural and political center.

Can you guess where the mighty Inca civilization called home? Hint: It's not where the Aztecs lived!

• Mexico

• Peru

Answer explanation

The mighty Inca civilization called Peru home, not Mexico. Peru was the location of the Inca Empire, distinct from where the Aztecs lived.

Guess what? The Aztecs were amazing architects! Among their incredible creations were massive pyramids. Can you tell which of these was a famous pyramid they built?

• Pyramid of the Sun

• El Castillo

Answer explanation

The famous pyramid built by the Aztecs was the Pyramid of the Sun.

Guess what? The Olmec civilization isn't just old; it's anciently awesome! Known as the "mother civilization" of Mesoamerica, the Olmecs were way ahead of their time. But what's one of their mind-blowing contributions that still has us talking today?

• The concept of zero

• Colossal stone heads

Answer explanation

The correct choice is the colossal stone heads, which is one of the mind-blowing contributions of the Olmec civilization that still fascinates us today.

Guess what? The Mayans were ahead of their time with a super cool writing system. Can you tell what it was based on?

• Pictographs

• Hieroglyphs

Answer explanation

The Mayan writing system was based on Hieroglyphs, making it ahead of its time with a sophisticated form of writing.

Ready for a journey back in time? Imagine you're an ancient Inca, traveling across the vast empire. What's the name of the incredible road network you'd be using?

• Silk Road

• Qhapaq Ñan

Answer explanation

The correct name of the incredible road network used by ancient Incas is Qhapaq Ñan.

Why did the Aztecs perform human sacrifices? Was it for a spooky reason or something else? Let's find out!

• To summon rain and ensure bountiful crops

• To scare the living daylights out of their foes

Answer explanation

The Aztecs performed human sacrifices to summon rain and ensure bountiful crops, not for a spooky reason or to scare their foes.

Guess what? The Olmecs were not just about giant stone heads; they invented a game that was a big deal, blending religious rites and political power plays. Can you name this ancient sport?

• Soccer

• Mesoamerican ballgame

Answer explanation

The correct ancient sport invented by the Olmecs that blended religious rites and political power plays is the Mesoamerican ballgame.

Hey there, history buff! Can you guess which major crop the ingenious Mayans cultivated back in their heyday?

• Potatoes

• Maize

Answer explanation

The correct choice is Maize because the Mayans were known for cultivating this major crop during their heyday.

Imagine you're an Inca accountant, but there's no writing system! How do you keep track of everything?

• With pictographs

• Using quipus

Answer explanation

The Inca accountants kept track of everything using quipus, a system of knotted strings for record-keeping.