Mayan Civilization Quiz

Name:

Date:

Instructions: Uncover the mysteries of the ancient Maya — their advanced astronomy, intricate calendar, and magnificent jungle cities.

1.
In which regions did the ancient Maya civilization primarily flourish?
A
South America
B
Central Mexico
C
The Caribbean islands
D
Mesoamerica (southern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras)
2.
What remarkable mathematical concept did the Maya independently develop, which was rare in the ancient world?
A
Fractions
B
Negative numbers
C
Algebra
D
The concept of zero
3.
What is the famous Maya archaeological site on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, home to the pyramid of Kukulcan?
A
Tikal
B
Chichen Itza
C
Copan
D
Palenque
4.
What type of writing system did the Maya use?
A
Pictographs only
B
Cuneiform
C
An alphabet
D
Hieroglyphic script
5.
What was the Maya Long Count calendar's cycle that ended on December 21, 2012?
A
A b'ak'tun
B
A katun
C
A millennium
D
A tun
6.
What sacred ball game was played by the ancient Maya, with ritual significance?
A
Ulama
B
Chunkey
C
Tlachtli / Pok-a-Tok
D
Pelota
7.
Which natural feature, common in the Yucatan, provided the Maya with access to underground water?
A
Oases
B
Cenotes (sinkholes)
C
Artesian wells
D
Hot springs
8.
What was one of the largest and most powerful Maya city-states, located in modern-day Guatemala?
A
Palenque
B
Uxmal
C
Chichen Itza
D
Tikal
9.
What feathered serpent deity did the Maya worship (known by a different name than the Aztec version)?
A
Ah Puch
B
Itzamna
C
Kukulcan
D
Chaac
10.
What crop was the staple food of the Maya diet?
A
Maize (corn)
B
Potatoes
C
Wheat
D
Rice
11.
What numbered system did the Maya use for counting?
A
Base-12 (duodecimal)
B
Base-20 (vigesimal)
C
Base-8 (octal)
D
Base-10 (decimal)
12.
What happened to many Maya cities around 900 AD during the 'Classic Maya Collapse'?
A
They were flooded
B
They were mysteriously abandoned
C
They were destroyed by earthquakes
D
They were conquered by the Aztecs
13.
What astronomical body were the Maya particularly skilled at tracking, developing accurate tables for its cycles?
A
Venus
B
Mars
C
Saturn
D
Jupiter
14.
Which Spanish bishop infamously burned most of the Maya codices (books) in 1562?
A
Bartolome de Las Casas
B
Toribio de Benavente
C
Juan de Zumarraga
D
Diego de Landa
15.
How many Maya codices (bark-paper books) are known to have survived to the present day?
A
Three or four
B
About twenty
C
Over a hundred
D
One

Answer Key

Question 1

D. Mesoamerica (southern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras)

Question 2

D. The concept of zero

Question 3

B. Chichen Itza

Question 4

D. Hieroglyphic script

Question 5

A. A b'ak'tun

Question 6

C. Tlachtli / Pok-a-Tok

Question 7

B. Cenotes (sinkholes)

Question 8

D. Tikal

Question 9

C. Kukulcan

Question 10

A. Maize (corn)

Question 11

B. Base-20 (vigesimal)

Question 12

B. They were mysteriously abandoned

Question 13

A. Venus

Question 14

D. Diego de Landa

Question 15

A. Three or four

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