Pre-Columbian Civilizations Trivia Quiz

Answer: Aztecs

Because of the large population on the small island of Tenochtitlan, the Aztecs used chinampas, or floating gardens, to grow corn, squash, and beans. They made these by piling soil on top of reed mats that were anchored to the bed of Lake Texcoco. They were not just able to grow in otherwise unusable land, but this made the soil more fertile.

Answer: All of these

Agriculture was important in all of the Mesoamerican civilizations. Many methods were employed to make farming cheaper, easier, and more efficient.

Answer: Mayas

It was the Mayas that were divided into city-states, each with its own ruling chief and social hierarchy. However, this is seen by many historians as a theory as to why they mysteriously disappeared before European countries arrived. Civil war may have destroyed the Mayas, but this is just one of many theories: others include invasion, famine and disease.

Answer: Incas

The Andes Mountains had a great impact on their development. Many steps were taken to unite the geographically separated empire. For example, the Incas built a large system of roads throught the empire. A special method called terrace farming was used. Stone walls were built to level out land in the mountainous region. Where flat land was scarce, they made their own.

Answer: Mayas

Another example of great architecture in Mayan cities was large palaces with elaborate paintings and carvings on the walls to depict scenes in Mayan history. Historians are studying these scenes to learn more about the Mayas.

Answer: Quipus

Historians believe that quipus were used to record dates and events as well as population and crop statistics. Cuzco is the Incan capital. Quecua was the Incan language. Chinampas were the Aztecs' floating gardens mentioned previously.

Answer: Blood

The Aztecs not just practised human sacrifice, but did so on a large scale. Thousands were killed to benefit the gods, and guarantee favorable conditions for the Aztecs. The main victims were captured enemy soldiers.

Answer: True

Actually, more people are found today from a Mayan descent than from Aztec and Incan descent. This is because while the Aztecs and Incas were conquered by the Europeans, destroyed by disease, and intermarried with the Europeans, the Mayans were scattered about the land already by the time the conquistadors arrived.

Answer: The number zero

They also had an advanced 365-day calendar, a hieroglyphic writing system, and wrote books made of bark. However, the zero was also devised - independently of the Mayas - in India, and it from there that it was adopted by Europeans (via the Arabs).

Answer: Hernando Cortez

Cortez tricked the Aztecs into thinking that he was a god. He then defeated the entire Aztec army with a few hundred men.