4.1 Lesson Summary Civilizations of Middle America

When did people first come to the Americas from Asia?

• Between 70,000 B.C. and 20,000 B.C.

• Between 60,000 B.C. and 18,000 B.C.

• Between 50,000 B.C. and 15,000 B.C.

• Between 40,000 B.C. and 10,000 B.C.

Which was the earliest American civilization?

• Aztec

• Maya

• Olmec

• Inca

What did the Olmec civilization contribute to later Mesoamerican cultures?

• Metalworking

• Hieroglyphs and the calendar

• Advanced irrigation systems

• Monumental architecture

Where did the Maya civilization build large cities around 300 B.C.?

• Northern Mexico

• Present-day Guatemala

• The Andes Mountains

• The Amazon Basin

What were the tall stone monuments decorated with carvings in Maya cities called?

• Pyramids

• Obelisks

• Stelae

• Ziggurats

What was the capital city of the Aztec civilization?

• Teotihuacán

• Tikal

• Tenochtitlán

• Chichén Itzá

What were chinampas used for in Aztec civilization?

• Religious ceremonies

• Trade routes

• Artificial islands for farming

• Defensive structures

How did the Aztec empire grow in wealth and power?

• Through peaceful trade

• By mining gold

• Through continuous warfare and tribute

• By building large ships

What was a possible reason for the Maya abandoning most of their cities around A.D. 900?

• Invasion by the Aztec

• Frequent warfare or over-farming

• Natural disasters

• Economic collapse

Which culture influenced the Aztec with powerful gods?

• Inca

• Olmec

• Teotihuacán

• Toltec