Deck 13: From City to Empire

Question 1

Why has it been difficult to reconstruct the Classic Maya?

Answer 1

Much of the rich history of the Maya was lost when their society collapsed and they dispersed from their urban centers. The conquering Spaniards that arrived later brought with them devastating diseases, which impacted them physically, and imposed their way of life, which impacted them culturally. The suppression of Maya culture included burning most of the Maya books.

Question 2

What role can geophysics play in archaeological research?

Answer 2

Geophysical methods allow a researcher to see what is below the surface of the ground without digging it up. It cannot show exactly what is there and the data needs to be interpreted by experienced people, but it can help researchers focus their excavations on areas that seem to be related to human activities as opposed to those areas that are not involved. It also allows complete survey of large areas relatively quickly. Two of the techniques used are Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and magnetometry, and others include electromagnetic and resistivity/conductivity. GPR sends out an electromagnetic pulse, which is either absorbed on reflected based on the internal structure of the ground. Magnetometry detects magnetic features or objects that cause changes in the earth's magnetic field.

Question 3

This monumental structure was at the center of both the physical and spiritual worlds of the Aztec.

A) Templo Mayor
B) Pyramid of the Sun
C) Pyramid of Aztlán
D) Pyramid of the Moon

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Excavations of the rural site of __________ have produced insight into provincial life under the Aztecs.

A) Cusco
B) Cuexcomate
C) Texcoco
D) Tlapocán

Question 5

Aztec agriculture depended on artificial islands of raised beds called __________.

A) khipu
B) chinampas
C) pagos
D) panaqa

Question 6

Which city was part of the alliance that formed the basis of Aztec expansion?

A) Teotihuacán
B) Cusco
C) Texcoco
D) Aztlán

Question 7

The mythical homeland of the Aztecs is known as __________.

A) La Tisa
B) Otumba
C) Teotihuacán
D) Aztlán

Question 8

What was the capital of the Toltec Empire?

A) Monte Albán
B) La Tisa
C) Tula
D) Teotihuacán

Question 9

What is the study of the processes that affect organic remains after death?

A) paleoecology
B) zooarchaeology
C) necromodification
D) taphonmy

Question 10

What was the largest prehistoric city in the Americas and capital of the Aztec Empire?

A) Tenochtitlán
B) Teotihuacán
C) Aztlán
D) Cusco

Question 11

Which statement best represents the state of tourism at archaeological sites?

A) It destroys sites and should not be allowed.
B) It is predominantly run through indigenous community leadership.
C) It can be used for political gain.
D) Tourism takes precedence over archaeological research at most sites.

Question 12

What is the Popol Vuh?

Question 13

Describe the city of Tenochtitlán.

Question 14

What was the relationship of the Toltec Empire to the Aztec Empire?

Question 15

What can human osteology tell us about the ancient world?

Question 16

What is the importance of the Olmec to the development of Mesoamerican prehistory?

Question 17

What was Teotihuacán?

Question 18

Discuss the role of human sacrifice in the religious and political realms of the Aztec. How does the archaeological evidence compare with popular culture depictions of this culture?

Question 19

Discuss the role of trade and tribute in the Aztec Empire.

Question 20

Describe the city of Teotihuacán and how the city influenced the later Aztecs.

Question 21

How did the Maya govern and how was that governance linked to inequality?

Question 22

Compare and contrast the Maya and Aztec empires.

Question 23

What has excavation at the Templo Mayor revealed?

Question 24

How did the Aztecs manage to farm the swamplands surrounding Tenochtitlán?

Question 25

The collapse of the Maya cities was partially due to __________.

A) slavery
B) ecological degredation
C) population decline
D) conquest

Question 26

__________ is a Maya myth written after the Spanish conquests.

A) The Popol Vuh
B) The Epic of Gilgamesh
C) The Copán Codex
D) The Popol Na

Question 27

Aztlán is the mythical homeland of the Mexica, who formed the Aztec Empire.

Question 28

The Florentine Codex, compiled by friar Bartolome de las Casas, is a major source of information on the Aztecs.

Question 29

The Maya hieroglyphs were deciphered in the late 19th century by a German linguist.

Question 30

One aspect of Maya material culture that is largely invisible in the archaeological record is woven cloth, because it is perishable.

Question 31

Geophysics creates detailed pictures of archaeological sites and of exactly what is under the ground.

Question 32

Maya pyramids were constructed during a single building episode.

Question 33

From bones, osteoarchaeologists can find out about diet, disease, growth, behavior, and lifestyles of people.

Question 34

The Feathered Serpent is a recurring symbol of a deity in Mesoamerican prehistory.

Question 35

Teotihuacán was the capital of the Aztec Empire.

Question 36

The Olmec developed a highly sophisticated artistic tradition that included monumental sculptures of snakes.

Question 37

The Toltec Empire was large and powerful, controlling a substantial area.

Question 38

Pagos are raised agriculture beds built in the swamps surrounding Tenochtitlán.

Question 39

Excavations have shown that the Aztec empire contained skilled iron smelters.

Question 40

This artifact, found in downtown Mexico City, depicted a central event in Aztec mythology.

A) the Toltec skull mask
B) the altar of sacrifice
C) the Coyolxauhqui sculpture
D) Tlaloc's column

Question 41

__________ is a geophysical method of remote sensing.

A) Dendrochronology
B) Ground-penetrating radar
C) Multi-spectral satellite imagery
D) Aerial photography

Question 42

The site of __________ was burned and abandoned as the result of a military attack at the end of the Classic Period.

A) Bonampak
B) Dos Pilas
C) Yaxchilán
D) Aguateca

Question 43

The first king of Copán may have had links to __________.

A) Teotihuacán
B) Tikal
C) Aguateca
D) Monte Albán

Question 44

Which of these was among the agricultural methods used by the Maya?

A) slash and burn cultivation
B) mountain terrace farming
C) plows pulled by animals
D) three-field rotation

Question 45

Maya sites are often located near __________, which were critical water sources.

A) marshlands
B) piscinas
C) estuaries
D) cenotes

Question 46

The Pyramid of the Sun can be found at what site?

A) Teotihuacán
B) Copán
C) Tikal
D) Tenochtitlán

Question 47

What is the oldest city in Mesoamerica?

A) Monte Albán
B) Teotihuacán
C) La Venta
D) Aguateca

Question 48

The earliest evidence of emerging political complexity in Mesoamerica is found on ________ sites.

A) Maya
B) Toltec
C) Aztec
D) Olmec

Question 49

Archaeological and historical research has demonstrated that, contrary to popular belief, the Aztec never actually practiced human sacrifice.

Question 50

The reigns of Maya rulers were deciphered based on two signs, known as the "toothache sign" and the "upended frog" sign.