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Dogs in Mesoamerica - Quiz
Contributed by: Miller
  • 1. In the Popol Vuh, why did the dogs destroy the wooden humans?
A) The wooden humans stole the dogs' food.
B) The wooden humans would not feed them.
C) The wooden humans were created by the Lords of Xibalba.
D) The gods commanded the dogs to destroy them.
  • 2. What is the moral lesson regarding dogs in the Popol Vuh?
A) Dogs should be kept strictly in the Underworld.
B) Dogs are only meant for ritual sacrifice.
C) Civilized Maya must feed dogs a decent human diet like maize.
D) Dogs should never be fed by humans.
  • 3. What does feeding a dog maize represent in Maya ritual sacrifice?
A) Punishing the dog for its past behavior.
B) Providing the dog with its natural diet.
C) Turning the dog into a wooden human.
D) Giving respect to the dog because humans were made of maize.
  • 4. What happened when the Hero Twins sacrificed the dog of the Lords of Xibalba?
A) They brought the dog back to life.
B) The dog was permanently consumed by fire.
C) The dog transformed into a human.
D) The Lords of Xibalba were offended and killed the twins.
  • 5. According to the text, what is the job of dogs regarding the afterlife?
A) Guarding the gates of heaven.
B) Reincarnating as human lords.
C) Judging the souls of the deceased.
D) Leading people into the Underworld.
  • 6. Which elements of Maya life are dogs associated with?
A) Sun and moon.
B) Fire and the hearth.
C) Water and agriculture.
D) War and diplomacy.
  • 7. For what political purpose were dog sacrifices used?
A) Inaugurations and founding of new civic religious centres.
B) Selecting a new king.
C) Declaring war on neighboring tribes.
D) Negotiating trade deals.
  • 8. Why were dogs sacrificed during the New Year ceremony?
A) To appease the angry gods of harvest.
B) Because there were no humans available.
C) To cleanse the city of bad luck.
D) They were associated with new beginnings.
  • 9. Why were spotted dogs sacrificed during cacao rituals?
A) Their spots resembled the color of cacao and represented economic significance.
B) Cacao growers believed dogs protected the trees.
C) The dogs were considered sacred to the cacao goddess.
D) The dogs were required to ensure the rains would come.
  • 10. Why were dogs buried alongside humans in graves?
A) To act as a guard for the physical remains.
B) To serve as a meal for the deceased.
C) To guide their owners to the afterlife.
D) Because the dog died at the same time as the human.
  • 11. What is the subject of vase K5534 in the Maya Vase Database?
A) A battle scene between the Hero Twins.
B) A possible funeral procession.
C) The sacrifice of the Lords of Xibalba.
D) The creation of wooden humans.
  • 12. What is the function of the dog standing under the palanquin in vase K5534?
A) Possibly guiding its owner to Xibalba.
B) Protecting the noble from fire.
C) Eating the maize meant for the noble.
D) Celebrating the New Year ceremony.
  • 13. What does vase K555 depict?
A) A dog asking Itzamná to return to Xibalba.
B) Dogs destroying wooden humans.
C) The Hero Twins creating humans from maize.
D) A royal inauguration ceremony.
  • 14. Besides paintings, what other medium did Maya artists use to represent dogs?
A) Wooden statues.
B) Feather mosaics.
C) Jade carvings.
D) Clay figurines.
  • 15. In the Popol Vuh, what was the outcome of the Hero Twins' interaction with the Lords of Xibalba?
A) The twins became the new Lords of Xibalba.
B) The twins sacrificed the Lords and did not bring them back.
C) The Lords resurrected the twins.
D) The twins and the Lords made peace.
  • 16. How many dog breeds were identified in the Central Mexican area during prehispanic times?
A) Three
B) Two
C) Four
D) Five
  • 17. Which extinct dog breed was based in Colima?
A) Itzcuintli
B) Chihuahua
C) Tlalchichi
D) Xoloitzcuintli
  • 18. What percentage of meat consumed in Teotihuacan came from dogs?
A) 5%
B) 20%
C) 50%
D) 10%
  • 19. How far back does the archaeological evidence for dogs in Mesoamerica date?
A) 1000 CE
B) 500 BCE
C) 1200 BCE
D) 100 CE
  • 20. What specific item do Yucatec Maya feed their dogs today to continue ancestral traditions?
A) Tortillas
B) Raw meat
C) Beans
D) Squash
  • 21. In the 16th century, where were dogs observed being bred in pens and sold at market?
A) Colha
B) Mérida, Yucatán
C) Colima
D) Teotihuacan
  • 22. Besides food, ritual sacrifice, and companionship, what role did dogs play in the home?
A) Guard dog
B) Scavenger
C) Therapy animal
D) Herder
  • 23. What evidence suggests that dogs associated with ritual activities had specialized diets?
A) Spanish explorer diaries
B) Remains in the Teotihuacan Valley
C) Modern genetic testing
D) Wall paintings in Yucatan
  • 24. Which of the following was a primary use for domesticated dogs among the ancient Maya?
A) Warfare
B) Hunting aide
C) Beast of burden
D) Postal delivery
  • 25. What describes the energy cost of breeding and raising domesticated dogs?
A) Moderate energy
B) High energy use
C) Extremely high
D) Low energy use
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