Maya Rise and Fall - Quiz - National Geographic Magazine

Current Issue June 2008
Table of Contents »

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Maya Quiz

Test your knowledge of the ancient Maya in our interactive quiz.

0 The Maya civilization abounds with intriguing mythology, rituals, and conventions, not to mention the civilization’s impact on the modern world. Take our five-part, 20-question quiz and find out how much you know about the Maya. Managing Editor, NGM.com Rob Covey <![CDATA[Producer & Editor]]> Carolyn Fox <![CDATA[Writer & Researcher]]> Dasha Vinogradsky Flash Developer Stefan Estrada Styling David Brindley Research Consultants Taryn Salinas, A.R. Williams /2007/08/maya-rise-fall/img/intro.jpg The Maya city of Dos Pilas. Artist reconstruction by Yeorgos Lampathakis /2007/08/maya-rise-fall/img/appearance.jpg A Maya woman works on a backstrap loom. Her water lily headdress and decorated mat denote royal lineage. Painting by T. W. Rutledge /2007/08/maya-rise-fall/img/food.jpg Corn, or maize, was the staple of the Maya diet. Photograph by Joe Scherschel /2007/08/maya-rise-fall/img/religion.jpg A fuschite mask inlaid with shell and colored cinnabar. The mask represents an underworld deity of Palenque. Painting by William H. Bond /2007/08/maya-rise-fall/img/writer.jpg A Maya scribe. Painting by Louis S. Glanzman /2007/08/maya-rise-fall/img/sculptor.jpg An artisan prepares a limestone stela, a stone slab used to record notable events. Painting by T. W. Rutledge /2007/08/maya-rise-fall/img/end.jpg Workers build a temple with limestone blocks, stucco, and red paint in the Maya city of El Mirador. Painting by T. W. Rutledge 10 Excellent work. You are a Maya expert. With a little work, you will be a Maya pro. You are off to a good start. Brush up on your Maya facts. You may want to try again. 1
A Maya was considered beautiful if he or she possessed:]]> Long hair Crossed eyes A flat nose Small feet 2 1 Gold Copper Silver Jade 4 1 The forehead and the nose run along the same line in profile Protruding lips The nose and chin run along the same line in profile An elongated neck 1 1 A necklace made of corn husks Jewelry made out of jade Red and gold drapery A representation of the present king 2
Jade artifacts have been found throughout Mesoamerica, but jade comes primarily from the Montagua Valley in southeastern Guatemala. The stone was considered a precious object, identified with maize, water, the sky, vegetation, and life because of its green and blue-green colors.]]> 2
What were cacao beans used as?]]> Storage receptacles Currency Toys for children Beads 2 2 Solid Powder Paste Liquid 4
Not until the beginning of the 19th century, when a Dutchman discovered how to extract the fat in cacao paste, did chocolate turn into a mass produced and wildly popular solid sweet in Europe.]]> 2 Yuca Cacao Beans Corn Tomatoes 3 2 Liquid cacao Water Mother's milk Honey 3
After fermentation, pulque is often spiced with chilies or herbs, and can be bought and enjoyed to this day.]]> 3
According to historical accounts, what was the Maya flower of the dead?]]> Begonia White nun orchid Marigold Flor de Izote 3 Cempoalxochitl, or marigolds, were ancient offerings to the dead and are still a primary offering on the Day of the Dead, celebrated on November 1. The marigold-death association may have come from the Central Mexican goddess Coyolxauhqui, who wore a garland of marigolds.]]> 3 Forest-like Fiery Iced-over Water-filled 4 3 To offer a self-sacrifice to the gods To sign pacts To heal themselves To confirm their immortality 1 3 The road to the heavens Home of the major deities Milk spilled by one of the major deities The road to the underworld 4
A two-headed serpent was often used as a symbol for the Milky Way and the rest of the celestial world. The two heads were emblematic of life and death.]]> 4
Which word may come from Mayan?]]> Cigar Tobacco Caffeine Fennel 1
The tobacco was chewed to relieve fatigue and to help conjure visions. However, the preferred way of tobacco consumption was through the cigar.]]> 4 Beard Priest White Scribe 2
At religious ceremonies, the Maya ruler served as the chief priest, protecting his subjects and interpreting divine signs. In this way, the Maya ruler was both the political and the religious leader of his people.]]> 4 Mayan hieroglyphic script A type of Cyrillic script A type of Hebrew script The Latin alphabet 4
One of the few surviving Maya manuscripts, Popol Vuh has been instrumental in reconstructing the history and mythology of the Maya.]]> 4 Second person plural Third person singular First person singular Third person plural 2 5
How many directions did the Maya compass have?]]> Four Five Three Six 2 5 Five Ten Fifteen Twenty 4 5 Birth of Christ The building of Tikal A mythological zero date Arrival of Fire Is Born 3 5 An axis that sliced into the center of the Earth A source of human life A symbol of the center of the world A sign of where to construct temples 1 yaxché, meaning "first tree" or "green tree." These trees were often found in the center of town and on its outskirts, marking directions and holding up the heavens.]]>