Question

1.

Which of the following both had three major periods of civilization? (4 points)
Maya and the Israelites
Maya and the Indus River Valley
Maya and Mesopotamia
Maya and Egypt
2.
How is the geography of the Mayan civilization different from the geography of the Mesopotamian civilization? (4 points)
Mesopotamians were not able to grow a variety of crops on their land.
The Maya were not able to grow a variety of crops on their land.
The Mesopotamian civilization was not built around a major river.
The Mayan civilization was not built around a major river.
3.
How were village farmers in the Mayan civilization similar to village farmers in early river valley civilizations? (4 points)
Farmers were used for human sacrifice.
Farmers provided food and labor for the cities.
Farmers played against nobles in ritual ball games.
Farmers voted to elect kings.
4.
Which of the following aspects of Mayan culture was not shared by the ancient Mesopotamians? (4 points)
used astronomical calendars
invented the number zero in mathematics
built pyramids
used writing to record their origins
5.
Which of the following did Egyptians and Mayans have in common? (4 points)
Both societies had an advanced understanding of astronomy.
Both societies practiced mummification of the dead.
Neither society practiced human sacrifice.
Neither society had a complex caste system.
6.
Which contribution of the Maya compares to the Egyptian use of papyrus? (4 points)
observatories
stepped pyramids
codices
stelae

Answer 1

1. The correct answer is: Maya and Mesopotamia. Both the Maya and Mesopotamia had three major periods of civilization.
2. The correct answer is: The Mesopotamian civilization was not built around a major river. The Mesopotamian civilization developed in the region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, which provided fertile land for agriculture.

3. The correct answer is: Farmers provided food and labor for the cities. In both the Mayan civilization and early river valley civilizations, village farmers played a crucial role in providing food and labor to support the cities and urban centers.
4. The correct answer is: Invented the number zero in mathematics. The Maya were known for their advanced understanding of mathematics and invented the concept of zero. This was not shared by the ancient Mesopotamians.

5. The correct answer is: Both societies practiced mummification of the dead. Both the Egyptians and Mayans had a practice of mummification, which involved preserving the bodies of the deceased.
6. The correct answer is: Codices. Similar to the Egyptian use of papyrus, the Maya used codices, which were books made of folded bark paper. These codices contained important information about their culture, history, and astronomy.

Answer 2

1. Maya and the Indus River Valley both had three major periods of civilization. The Maya civilization existed from around 2000 BCE to 1500 CE, with the Classic Period being the most well-known. The Indus River Valley civilization flourished from around 2600 BCE to 1900 BCE, with the Mature Harappan Period being its peak.

2. The geography of the Mayan civilization differed from that of the Mesopotamian civilization. The Mesopotamian civilization was situated between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, allowing for fertile land and abundant water supply. In contrast, the Mayan civilization was located in the tropical rainforests of Mesoamerica, where they utilized slash-and-burn agriculture techniques to cultivate crops like maize, beans, and squash.

3. Village farmers in the Mayan civilization, similar to those in early river valley civilizations, played a crucial role in providing food and labor for the cities. They were responsible for cultivating crops, such as maize, beans, and squash, which formed the dietary staples of the Mayan people. Their agricultural production supported the urban centers and allowed for the development of complex societies.

4. The ancient Mesopotamians did not share the aspect of using astronomical calendars with the Mayan civilization. The Mayans were known for their sophisticated astronomical knowledge and had developed accurate calendars that incorporated celestial events. In contrast, while the ancient Mesopotamians had advanced mathematical and astronomical knowledge, they did not possess the same level of precision and complexity in their calendars.

5. Egyptians and Mayans had several similarities. Both societies had an advanced understanding of astronomy and used their knowledge to develop calendars and track celestial events. Additionally, both societies practiced mummification of the dead, although the specific rituals and beliefs associated with mummification differed between the two cultures. Neither society had a complex caste system, as social structure in both civilizations was primarily based on social classes rather than rigid castes.

6. The contribution of the Maya that compares to the Egyptian use of papyrus is the use of codices. Codices were books made of folded bark paper that contained important Mayan hieroglyphic texts and illustrations. They served as records of historical events, religious ceremonies, and astronomical observations. Similarly, papyrus was a writing material used by the ancient Egyptians to create scrolls and documents, preserving their written records and literature. Both codices and papyrus were integral to the documentation and dissemination of knowledge in their respective civilizations.