Maya Agricultural Practices and Techniques

Maya farmers started work at dawn to avoid the midday heat. They used handmade tools and were skilled in agriculture, employing methods like raised fields, terrace farming, and slash-and-burn to cultivate crops. They grew maize, beans, chile, and squash, storing surplus in warehouses and trading at markets. The Maya used mathematics and star charts for agricultural planning.

Why did Maya farmers begin their work early in the morning?

• To work with the sunrise

• To catch the morning dew

• To finish before the rain

• To avoid the midday heat

What did Maya farmers do in the early afternoon after returning home?

• Worked on crafts

• Took a bath

• Had a meal

• Took a nap

What type of tools did Maya farmers use?

• Handmade stone tools

• Wooden tools

• Mechanical tools

• Metal tools

How did Maya farmers plan their agricultural activities?

• Following the lunar calendar

• Using weather predictions

• Based on local traditions

• By observing animal behavior

Which farming method was used by the Maya in wet and boggy areas?

• Terrace farming

• Crop rotation

• Slash-and-burn

• Raised fields

What was the purpose of terrace farming in Maya agriculture?

• To grow specific crops

• To farm in mountainous regions

• To increase water retention

• To prevent soil erosion

What was the main benefit of the slash-and-burn technique?

• It enriched the soil with nutrients

• It provided quick results

• It required less labor

• It was easy to implement

What crops were commonly grown by Maya farmers?

• Rice and wheat

• Maize, beans, chile, and squash

• Barley and oats

• Potatoes and tomatoes

What did the farmer's wife do with surplus crops?

• Stored them for winter

• Donated them to temples

• Used them for animal feed

• Traded them at the market

What was done with some of the surplus food?

• It was exported

• It was given to the poor

• It was used for festivals

• It was buried for future use