KS2 Maya | What was this Central American Civilisation

History Quiz - Maya (Questions)

Travel back to the rainforests of Central America and explore Maya cities, pyramids, and rulers in this KS2 History quiz about an ancient civilisation.

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Fascinating Fact:

Maya people lived in city states such as Tikal, Palenque, and Chichén Itzá, each with its own ruler and temples.

In KS2 History, the Maya civilisation is studied as an early advanced culture. Pupils explore how Maya people organised their city states, worshipped their gods, farmed the land, and built stone pyramids.

Key Terms

Maya civilisation: An ancient people who lived in parts of modern Mexico and Central America, with their own writing, calendar, and cities.
City state: A city and its surrounding land ruled by its own leader, like Tikal or Chichén Itzá.
Temple: A special religious building where ceremonies, offerings, and worship took place.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

Who were the Maya in KS2 History?

In KS2 History, the Maya are taught as an ancient civilisation from Central America. They built city states, developed writing and calendars, and followed complex religious beliefs and traditions.

What are Maya city states like Tikal and Chichén Itzá?

Maya city states such as Tikal and Chichén Itzá were independent cities with their own rulers, temples, and marketplaces. Each city state controlled nearby farmland and organised its own ceremonies.

What did Maya children learn and do in everyday life?

Maya children helped their families with jobs such as farming, weaving, and cooking. They also learned skills, stories, and beliefs from older relatives so they could take part in community life.

Try These Related Quizzes

Where did the Mayans live?

[ ]	Egypt
[ ]	Italy
[ ]	Mexico
[ ]	Canada

Which was not a food of the Maya?

[ ]	Black beans
[ ]	Coffee
[ ]	Cocoa
[ ]	Maize

What are the Mayans famous for building?

[ ]	Pyramids
[ ]	Amphitheatres
[ ]	Cathedrals
[ ]	Temples

What was the Mayan name for a year?

[ ]	Annual
[ ]	Kin
[ ]	Jahr
[ ]	Yil

What was the name for Mayan writing?

[ ]	Runes
[ ]	Hieroglyphs
[ ]	Cuneiform
[ ]	Alphabet

What did Mayans make books from?

[ ]	Papyrus
[ ]	Silk
[ ]	Tree bark
[ ]	Animal skin

What did the Mayans consider the most precious material?

[ ]	Gold
[ ]	Silver
[ ]	Jade
[ ]	Diamond

Which is the most famous Mayan city?

[ ]	Palenque
[ ]	Tikal
[ ]	Merida
[ ]	Chichen Itza

When did the Maya begin to decline?

[ ]	900 BCE
[ ]	100 BCE
[ ]	100 CE
[ ]	900 CE

10.

Who conquered the Maya?

[ ]	The Aztecs
[ ]	The Russians
[ ]	The British
[ ]	The Spanish

History Quiz - Maya (Answers)

Where did the Mayans live?

[ ]	Egypt
[ ]	Italy
[x]	Mexico
[ ]	Canada

The Mayans lived in what is now South-Eastern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and the western parts of Honduras and El Salvador

Which was not a food of the Maya?

[ ]	Black beans
[x]	Coffee
[ ]	Cocoa
[ ]	Maize

Coffee originated in Africa, not the Americas

What are the Mayans famous for building?

[x]	Pyramids
[ ]	Amphitheatres
[ ]	Cathedrals
[ ]	Temples

They had never seen the Egyptian ones so they cannot have copied

What was the Mayan name for a year?

[ ]	Annual
[x]	Kin
[ ]	Jahr
[ ]	Yil

The Mayan developed their own calendar

What was the name for Mayan writing?

[ ]	Runes
[x]	Hieroglyphs
[ ]	Cuneiform
[ ]	Alphabet

Hieroglyphic writing was developed by the Mayans before the 3rd century BC and was the most advanced form of writing in the Americas before Europeans settled there

What did Mayans make books from?

[ ]	Papyrus
[ ]	Silk
[x]	Tree bark
[ ]	Animal skin

The bark was processed into a kind of paper called amatl

What did the Mayans consider the most precious material?

[ ]	Gold
[ ]	Silver
[x]	Jade
[ ]	Diamond

Jade was used to make jewellery and religious objects

Which is the most famous Mayan city?

[ ]	Palenque
[ ]	Tikal
[ ]	Merida
[x]	Chichen Itza

The ruins of Chichen Itza still exist and are visited by over a million people a year