Maya Civilization and Culture

The Maya civilization, one of the most advanced in the Americas, thrived from 250 to 900 AD. They built impressive urban centers and made significant advancements in mathematics, astronomy, and writing. Agriculture, particularly corn, played a central role in their society. Despite their achievements, the Maya civilization declined around 900 AD, possibly due to warfare, drought, or other factors. However, the Maya people and their cultural practices persist today, with millions living in their ancestral homelands and beyond.

When did the Maya begin to establish villages in what is now Mexico and Central America?

• 1500 AD

• 900 AD

• 1800 BC

• 2500 BC

During which period did the Maya civilization reach its peak?

• Colonial Period

• Preclassic Period

• Classic Period

• Postclassic Period

What was one of the main crops cultivated by the Maya?

• Wheat

• Rice

• Corn

• Potatoes

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CCSS.RL.8.9

According to the Mayan creation story, what were humans created from?

• Clay

• Stone

• Yellow and white corn

• Water

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What mathematical concept did the Maya invent?

• Pi

• Zero

• Infinity

• Negative numbers

What was the Maya calendar system based on?

• Animal migrations

• Observations of the Sun and sky

• Tidal patterns

• Lunar cycles

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CCSS.RF.3.3C

CCSS.RF.3.3D

CCSS.RF.4.3A

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What was the only known system of writing in Mesoamerica developed by the Maya?

• Alphabet

• Cuneiform

• Hieroglyphs

• Pictographs

Which city-state reigned as the closest thing to an empire in Maya history?

• Uxmal

• Tikal

• Palenque

• Chichen Itza

What is one of the theories for the collapse of most Maya cities around 900 AD?

• Earthquake

• Flooding

• Drought

• Invasion by Europeans

Approximately how many Maya people are estimated to be alive today?

• 7 million

• 3 million

• 1 million

• 5 million