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Mayans in the Yucatan Trivia Quiz

I love the history and culture of the Mayans. They are not just a footpage in history but a culture which still exists in the fabric of Mexico and Central America.

A multiple-choice quiz by einsteinII. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
einsteinII

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
354,821

Updated
Jul 23 22

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
409

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What physical features were considered a mark of aristocracy among the Maya? Hint

Polydactyly

Obesity

Flattened foreheads and crossed eyes

Clubbed feet

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Question 2 of 10

2. In Mayan culture, what was the drink that was served with chillies and reserved for the aristocracy? Hint

Millet beer

Sour milk

Coffee

Chocolate

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Question 3 of 10

3. The Mayans were keen observors of the heavens. Which planet did they revere as a God? Hint

Jupiter

Saturn

Mars

Venus

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Question 4 of 10

4. What bird was considered sacred by the Maya? The tail of this bird was highly sought after and used in the Mayan headdress. Hint

Parrot

Quetzal

Toucan

Raven

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Question 5 of 10

5. What was the given name of one of the ancient roads that the Maya constructed to connect their cities? Hint

Eldorado

The 401

Sacbe

Transyucatan

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Question 6 of 10

6. A major Mayan city in the Yucatan would have needed a considerable source of water for the inhabitants, yet there are few rivers in that area. From where did the inhabitants draw water? Hint

Rainwater collection

Cenotes

Dew from the jungle

Crushed melons

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Question 7 of 10

7. The Mayans loved to play a game associated with teams. They built many arenas for the play of these games. What did they use to score a goal? Hint

Hoop

Puck

Rubber ball

Lacrosse stick

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Question 8 of 10

8. What was a common high point in the main plaza of many Mayan cities? Hint

Wooden tower

Pyramid

Palm trees

Stelae

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Question 9 of 10

9. What is the shape of the top of what can be called the Mayan arch? Hint

Corbel vault

Rounded

Square

Flat

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Question 10 of 10

10. Mayan astronomers calculated time to a degree that is astonishing in its perfection. On what date did the known Mayan Calendar end? Hint

August 24, 1999

February 13, 1815

July 9, 2000

December 21, 2012

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What physical features were considered a mark of aristocracy among the Maya?

Answer: Flattened foreheads and crossed eyes

The Mayans thought that flattened foreheads and crossed eyes were a mark of aristocracy. They pressed a board over the forehead of their infants to create a sloped forehead. They also dangled a ball between the eyes of their children to make them cross-eyed.

2. In Mayan culture, what was the drink that was served with chillies and reserved for the aristocracy?

Answer: Chocolate

Chocolate was reserved for the palates of the aristocracy and was poured from a height, in order to raise a foam that was considered to be a delicacy. The beverage wasn't sweet as we now know it.

3. The Mayans were keen observors of the heavens. Which planet did they revere as a God?

Answer: Venus

The movements of Venus were keenly observed.The appearance and disappearance of Venus in the sky was used to time momentous events in the life of the Maya.

4. What bird was considered sacred by the Maya? The tail of this bird was highly sought after and used in the Mayan headdress.

Answer: Quetzal

The qeutzal is a bird found in tropical climates including Mexico and sports a long tail that was used in the feathered headress of the Mayan rulers and dignitaries.

5. What was the given name of one of the ancient roads that the Maya constructed to connect their cities?

Answer: Sacbe

A sacbe (plural - sacbeob) was a white road that connected many of the cities and are still to be found at the sites today. It is an amazing feeling to walk these roadways and think of their history.

6. A major Mayan city in the Yucatan would have needed a considerable source of water for the inhabitants, yet there are few rivers in that area. From where did the inhabitants draw water?

Answer: Cenotes

Cenotes are sinkholes in the ground and contain a pool of water, part of a large underground system. They were sacred places connecting the world and the underworld as well as supplying water. Sacrifices were made in some.

7. The Mayans loved to play a game associated with teams. They built many arenas for the play of these games. What did they use to score a goal?

Answer: Rubber ball

The Mayans loved the game played in the ball courts wherein a hard rubber ball was bounced off the hips of the players through a stone circle on the side of the court. Losing players were sometimes sacrificed.

8. What was a common high point in the main plaza of many Mayan cities?

Answer: Pyramid

Many large Mayan cities constructed step pyramids, some as tall as thirteen stories. These pyramids were built and rebuilt several times during the life of the city and were covered with stucco and paintings.

9. What is the shape of the top of what can be called the Mayan arch?

Answer: Corbel vault

Corbel vaults are typical of Mayan arches and the stones of the walls of the arch are laid successively closer to the midline as the arch rises. They eventually meet in the point of a triangle.

10. Mayan astronomers calculated time to a degree that is astonishing in its perfection. On what date did the known Mayan Calendar end?

Answer: December 21, 2012

The Mayan Calendar was only dated to December 21, 2012, which (as the date approached) led some delusional individuals to argue that the world would therefore come to an end. No doubt, had Mayan astronomers still been extant, they would simply have calculated a new calendar from that date.

Source: Author einsteinII

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