Maya civilization

Venture deep into the rainforests of Mesoamerica to discover the brilliant and complex Maya civilization. In this episode, we explore a world of powerful city-states, towering stepped pyramids, and divine kings. You'll learn about their incredible intellectual achievements, from their sophisticated hieroglyphic writing—the most advanced in the ancient Americas—to their complex calendars and the independent invention of the concept of zero. We will also investigate the enduring mystery of the 'collapse' of their great Classic-period cities and learn how the Maya people and their culture have endured to the present day.

Check your understanding

These are the same multiple-choice questions you will see in the Quiz section after you listen to the episode. Use them here to preview or review the answers.

How was the Classic Maya civilization politically structured?

  1. As a single, unified empire ruled by one emperor from a central capital.
  2. As a collection of independent and often competing city-states, each with its own king.
  3. As a democracy where all citizens voted on major decisions.
  4. As a loose confederation of nomadic tribes.
  5. As a tributary state of the Aztec Empire.

Which of the following were major intellectual achievements of the Maya civilization?

  1. The invention of the wheel for transportation.
  2. The development of a sophisticated hieroglyphic writing system.
  3. The first use of iron and steel for tools.
  4. The independent development of the mathematical concept of zero.
  5. The creation of complex and accurate calendar systems.

The iconic stepped pyramids in Maya cities like Tikal primarily served what purpose?

  1. As defensive fortresses.
  2. As residential apartments for the general population.
  3. As temples for religious ceremonies and sometimes as tombs for rulers.
  4. As marketplaces for trade.
  5. As aqueducts for water transportation.

What is the current scholarly understanding of the 'Classic Maya Collapse'?

  1. It was caused by a single, massive volcanic eruption.
  2. The Maya people were completely wiped out by a mysterious disease.
  3. It was a rapid event caused by a Spanish invasion.
  4. It was a gradual process caused by a combination of factors, likely including drought, warfare, and environmental degradation.
  5. It was a myth and the cities were never actually abandoned.

What happened to the Maya people and their culture after the abandonment of the major Classic period cities?

  1. They completely disappeared from history.
  2. They migrated to South America and founded the Inca Empire.
  3. Their civilization continued in other regions, like the northern Yucatán, and millions of Maya people live in the region today.
  4. They lost their language and all cultural traditions.
  5. They were fully absorbed by the Aztec Empire.

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