Maya Civilization: Key Concepts and Facts

The video explores the Maya civilization, focusing on their independent city-states, geographical regions, and major cities like Tikal and Chichen Itza. It delves into the social structure, trade, and agriculture, highlighting the use of cacao beans as currency. The Maya's polytheistic religion, including human sacrifice and the significance of their ball game, is discussed. The video also covers their advancements in mathematics and writing, including the concept of zero and glyphs. Finally, it examines the decline of the Maya, attributing it to factors like invasions, warfare, and overpopulation.

What was a key characteristic of the Maya civilization in terms of their political structure?

• Unified empire with a central capital

• Independent city-states

• Nomadic tribes

• Colonial territories

Which city-state was known to be located in northern Guatemala?

• Palenque

• Copan

• Chichen Itza

• Tikal

What was the primary currency used by the Maya for trade?

• Silver bars

• Copper tokens

• Cacao beans

• Gold coins

Which of the following was NOT a major crop cultivated by the Maya?

• Squash

• Beans

• Rice

• Corn

What was a significant aspect of Maya religious practices?

• Monotheism

• Human sacrifice

• Ancestor worship

• Animal worship

How did the Maya use mathematics in their civilization?

• To build pyramids

• To create a calendar system

• To calculate taxes

• To develop a monetary system

What was the Maya writing system primarily composed of?

• Numeric codes

• Alphabetic letters

• Hieroglyphic symbols

• Pictograms

Which group is known to have invaded the Maya lands, contributing to their decline?

• Spanish

• Toltec

• Aztecs

• Inca

What was a major factor that did NOT contribute to the decline of the Maya civilization?

• Spanish conquest

• Overpopulation

• Infighting

• Invasions

What was a significant architectural feature of the Maya civilization?

• Wooden huts

• Stone pyramids

• Metal towers

• Mud-brick houses