Mesoamerica Study Guide

What are Chinampas?

• Floating gardens; soil put on rafts anchored by trees

• Structure built by Aztecs to move between the mainland and the city

• An Aztec weapon made of a wooden sword with obsidian blades

What is a Causeway?

• Floating gardens; soil put on rafts anchored by trees

• Structure built by Aztecs to move between the mainland of the city and the areas around their islands

• An Aztec weapon made of a wooden sword with obsidian blades

What is a Macuahuitl?

• Floating gardens; soil put on rafts anchored by trees

• Structure built by Aztecs to move between the mainland of the city and the areas around their islands

• An Aztec weapon made of a wooden sword with obsidian blades

What is an aqueduct?

• A way to transport fresh water into the city from other areas.

• A type of ancient Roman weapon.

• A marketplace for trading goods.

• A festival celebrated in ancient Rome.

Who were the first to arrive in the Americas?

• Hunter-gatherers

• Farmers

• Vikings

• Spanish Conquistadors

• Pilgrims

What did the Aztec use as currency?

• Cacao beans

• Gold coins

• Silver bars

• Corn

• Feathers

What was a popular sport across Mesoamerica?

• The ball game

• Archery

• Wrestling

• Horse racing

What is the agricultural technique used by the people in Mesoamerica referred to as?

• Slash and burn agriculture

• Terrace farming

• Hydroponics

• Crop rotation

What was maize and why was it important in Mesoamerica?

• Maize was a type of corn that was a staple food in Mesoamerica. They even celebrated a god dedicated to the type of corn.

• Maize was a rare gemstone used for trade in Mesoamerica.

• Maize was a type of animal domesticated for farming in Mesoamerica.

• Maize was a river that provided water for Mesoamerican cities.

Why were the Olmec considered a mother culture of Mesoamerica?

• Because it had a widespread influence on later cultures.

• Because it was the last civilization in the region.

• Because it was isolated from other cultures.

• Because it was conquered by the Spanish.