Let's Go Shopping At The Aztec Marketplace Quiz

Answer: Black on orange

Pottery was used from everything from plates and kitchen pots to urns found in funeral ceremonies. The traditional coloring was black design on orange clay which is today called Aztec III. Geometric shapes were the predominant artwork but one could also find images of animals or plants from the area. What is amazing about this work is that the Aztecs did not have use of a pottery wheel but instead used thin strips of clay and their imaginations and and craftsmanship.

Answer: Maize (corn)

Maize was eaten at almost every meal and served in a variety of ways including tortillas, tamales, stews, and gruel. Corn could be grown easily and was interwoven with their religion complete with a maize deity named Cinteotl. They often mixed the corn with lime or ashes which not only separated the kernels but added protein to the mix.

Answer: Obsidian

Obsidian is a volcanic, glass-like rock that is created after lava hardens and cools. It can be found around the Aztec region and even was mined by them in some quarries. Aztec craftsmen could chip away at it and fracture it into pieces with curved edges that were razor sharp and thin. These pieces could then be inserted into a wooden sword to make a deadly weapon for close combat.

Answer: Quetzal

The Aztecs used feathers to decorate their clothing and accessories. Local wild birds, such as quetzals, macaws, parrots, and hummingbirds were valued for their bright feathers. Even domesticated birds, like the turkey or duck, were utilized. Shiny, brightly colored feathers were highly prized and dyeing or artificially creating color was frowned upon.

The male quetzal's long tail feathers were worn by nobles or kings as each bird had only two of these to offer!

Answer: Salt

Salt craft specialists took salty spring water and boiled it down to obtain the seasoning. They then distributed it and traded it in markets around the region. Salt and chili pepper were so important to cooking in the Aztec culture that fasting meant going without these two ingredients. Salt, however, had an added bonus of helping to preserve meat by drawing out the moisture.

Answer: Any of these reasons

Both men and women wore these ear plugs. It took a period of time to slowly stretch the holes in the ear lobe to accommodate the various jewelry pieces. They could be made of different metals, leather, turquoise, or jewels. Not only did they serve to beautify a person and show off potential wealth via the material selection, but they identified a person's social rank.

Answer: Jaguar

To the Aztecs, the jaguar represented power and bravery. As such, it was the emblem of noble warriors and was worshipped as a god in their religion. Since jaguars were feared by other animals in their habitat they were considered leaders and the Aztec kings therefore also associated with the animal.

The jaguar's skins were used for capes, royal sandals, and throne coverings. These noble animals were also sacrificed to appease the gods.

Answer: Pit roasted meat

Aztecs made mixiotes by using the outside parts of the maguey leaves to wrap around a meat and chili pepper mixture. The meat was often rabbit and, after being wrapped in the protective leaves, was cooked over an open flame in a pit. When the diner unwrapped the bundle, the juicy chili and rabbit meat mixture created a form of stew.

In order to protect the plant's population, maguey leaves are no longer used, but banana leaves or paper can be used along with differing kinds of meat such as beef or chicken.

Answer: Eye issues

Aztec doctors used a variety of healing methods including medicine, surgery, and magic. Amulets were given to ward off illnesses; however, if those did not work the doctors had local herbs and plants as well as those they purchased at the market. Aztec doctors were believers in cleanliness and thought illnesses could be cured by regular steam baths at the saunas found throughout the city-states. Citizens turned to these doctors for remedies ranging from battle wounds to love sickness.

Answer: Cacao beans

Cacao beans (or cocoa) served not only as a drink but also as a form of currency for the Aztecs. They had a relatively low value and would not be used for large purchases but were definitely used for daily transactions within the marketplace. If the cacao bean was of good quality, it received a higher value in the economic system. So, for the Aztecs, money really did grow on trees!