wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

Exploring Early American Civilizations

Total questions: 27

Worksheet time: 16mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

What is a distinctive feature of Olmec art?

a)

Use of bronze sculptures

b)

Colossal stone heads

c)

Intricate wood carvings

d)

Glass mosaics

2.

Which material did the Olmec primarily use for their colossal heads?

a)

Marble

b)

Granite

c)

Basalt

d)

Limestone

3.

What was the primary purpose of the Maya calendar?

a)

To track agricultural cycles

b)

To predict weather patterns

c)

To organize religious festivals

d)

To calculate trade routes

4.

How many days are in the Maya Haab' calendar?

a)

260 days

b)

365 days

c)

400 days

d)

500 days

5.

What was a key agricultural technique used by the Norte Chico civilization?

a)

Slash-and-burn farming

b)

Terrace farming

c)

Irrigation systems

d)

Crop rotation

6.

Which crop was commonly grown by the Norte Chico civilization?

a)

Wheat

b)

Maize

c)

Potatoes

d)

Cotton

7.

Which animal was significant in Olmec religious beliefs?

a)

Eagle

b)

Jaguar

c)

Serpent

d)

Frog

8.

What was the highest social class in Maya society?

a)

Merchants

b)

Priests

c)

Nobles

d)

Farmers

9.

Who were considered the intellectual elite in Maya society?

a)

Warriors

b)

Artisans

c)

Priests

d)

Farmers

10.

Which geographical feature was crucial for Norte Chico trade?

a)

Mountains

b)

Rivers

c)

Deserts

d)

Forests

11.

What is a notable architectural feature of the Olmec civilization?

a)

Pyramids

b)

Stone circles

c)

Steppe mounds

d)

Ziggurats

12.

Which deity was commonly worshipped by the Olmec?

a)

Sun God

b)

Rain God

c)

Feathered Serpent

d)

Earth Goddess

13.

What was the role of the Maya king?

a)

Military leader

b)

Religious leader

c)

Both military and religious leader

d)

Economic advisor

14.

What was a common trade route for the Norte Chico civilization?

a)

Overland caravans

b)

Coastal sea routes

c)

Mountain passes

d)

Desert trails

15.

How did the Maya use their knowledge of astronomy?

a)

To create maps

b)

To predict eclipses

c)

To build sundials

d)

To navigate the seas

16.

What was a staple crop for the Norte Chico civilization?

a)

Rice

b)

Barley

c)

Quinoa

d)

Maize

17.

What was the role of Maya scribes?

a)

To record history

b)

To lead religious ceremonies

c)

To train warriors

d)

To manage trade

18.

What was a significant export of the Norte Chico civilization?

a)

Textiles

b)

Pottery

c)

Obsidian

d)

Salt

19.

What civilization was the "parent culture" of later Pre-Columbian civilizations?

a)

Olmec

b)

Toltec

c)

Mexica

d)

Maya

20.

Why were the Olmecs called "Rubber People?"

a)

they invented rubber

b)

they looked like rubber bands

c)

they hated rubber

d)

they ate rubber

21.
What kind of calendar did the Maya use?
a)
They had months and days exactly like our system.
b)
They used inter-locking wheels with days and glyphs on them.
c)
They used sundials to track the movement of the sun and moon.
d)
They built the first watches
22.

Which civilization lived on the Yucatan Peninsula?

a)

Maya

b)

Aztec

c)

Inca

23.

What is the area the Maya civilization was located called?

a)

Texas

b)

Panama

c)

Yucatan Peninsula

d)

South America

24.

The Olmecs had ceremonial__________ as a religious ritual.

a)

Festivals

b)

Dinner

c)

ballgame

d)

Sacrifices

25.

How did the environment affect Mesoamerican and Andean civilizations? Give examples of culture, agriculture, religion, and government. Use complete sentences.

4 lines
26.

What civilization was the "parent culture" of later Pre-Columbian civilizations?

a)

Olmec

b)

Toltec

c)

Mexica

d)

Maya

27.
What kind of calendar did the Maya use?
a)
They had months and days exactly like our system.
b)
They used inter-locking wheels with days and glyphs on them.
c)
They used sundials to track the movement of the sun and moon.
d)
They built the first watches