Geography Work Sheet1

WebQuest: Mesoamerican History 60 points
The history of Mesoamerica is divided into different periods beginning with the Olmec period.
Directions: Follow each of the links below to answer the following questions.
Submit your completed WebQuest worksheet to the Webquest: Mesoamerican History assignment link for grading.
The following links will take you to information about Mesoamerican culture. You may also use a search engine to locate other links to help you answer the questions. Familiarize yourself with the questions before clicking on the links.

Links: (If clicking the link does not take you to the site, cut and paste the URL into a new browser window.)

Timeline/General Information http://www.famsi.org/research/pohl/chronology.html http://americanindian.si.edu/exhibitions/infinityofnations/mesoamerica-caribbean.html

Olmec http://www.delange.org/SanLorenzo/SanLorenzo.htm http://www.mayasites.com/laventa.html

Classic Maya http://www.lost-civilizations.net/mayan-society.html http://library.thinkquest.org/5891/society.htm

Formative or Preclassic Maya http://www.lost-civilizations.net/mayan-society.html http://www.caa.uidaho.edu/arch499/nonwest/mayan/agriculture.htm

Postclassic Maya and Modern Day http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/columnist/vergano/2008-11-08-mayan-decline_N.htm © KC Distance Learning

http://www.travellog.com/guatemala/mayastoday.html
1. List the year each period began and ended: (8 points)
Olmec
Formative or Preclassic Maya
Classic Maya
Postclassic Maya

2. Describe the social structure that developed in the Olmec civilization and how they depended on each other. (4 points)

3. Describe the colossal heads that were built by the Olmec and why they were built. (4 points)

4. The Maya did not unite to form a single united empire. Independent city-states or kingdoms with common cultural ties developed instead. What cultural elements did these city-states share?
(4 points)

5. Describe the branches of government of the Maya that developed during the Preclassic Period and describe the duties of those who served in the government. (4 points)

6. Describe the important role that priests played in the Mayan culture. What were some of their duties? (4 points)

7. List and describe the achievements of the Maya during the Preclassic and Classic periods. (8 points) © KC Distance Learning

8. By the period of Classic Maya a distinct social system had developed in the numerous Maya kingdoms. Tell about the social divisions and how these divisions impacted the lives of the Maya people. (4 points)

9. The daily life of families was important to the survival of the culture. Describe this structure and how families worked together to ensure survival. Why was this necessary? (4 points)

10. How are their lifestyle and the roles of men and women similar and different from life in our culture? (4 points)

11. Describe the factors that may have led to the decline of the Maya. (4 points)

12. Identify four pieces of Ancient Mayan art or architecture. Cut and paste a small image of each or include a link to the item. Explain why your find each piece interesting. (4 points)

13. How do the Maya live today? (4 points)

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