| Writing Exercises: Mesoamerica |
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| Student Handouts > World History > Mesoamerican Civilizations > Mesoamerican Worksheets |
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Writing Exercises: Mesoamerica - Answer each of the following questions using complete sentences. 1 Contrast sedentary, semi-sedentary, and non-sedentary cultures in Mesoamerica. In Mesoamerica, sedentary cultures like the Maya and Aztec built permanent cities with complex social and political structures. Semi-sedentary cultures moved periodically, often practicing shifting agriculture and living in smaller villages. Non-sedentary cultures were typically nomadic, relying on hunting, gathering, and minimal agriculture, and had more fluid social organization. These differences shaped their development, technology, and interactions with the environment and other groups. 2 What environmental damage existed in the Americas before the arrival of Columbus? Before Columbus arrived, some Indigenous civilizations in the Americas had already caused localized environmental damage. The Maya, for instance, practiced slash-and-burn agriculture, which led to deforestation and soil depletion. In the Andes, intensive farming on terraces and irrigation systems altered landscapes. Overhunting in some regions also affected wildlife populations. While these impacts were limited compared to later industrial damage, they show early human influence on the environment. 3 Describe the geography of South America. Pre-Columbian South America featured diverse geography that shaped its civilizations. The towering Andes Mountains supported advanced societies like the Inca, who built terraces for agriculture. The Amazon Basin was dense with rainforests and rich biodiversity, home to numerous semi-sedentary tribes. Coastal deserts in Peru supported early irrigation cultures, while the grasslands and pampas of the south offered open terrain. This varied geography influenced settlement, trade, and cultural development across the continent. Click here to print. Answers will vary. |
| Student Handouts > World History > Mesoamerican Civilizations > Mesoamerican Worksheets |
