182
Chapter 11
The Emergence of Cities and States
MULTIPLE CHOICE
W 1. The word civilization derives from the Latin word, civis, referring to one who is an
inhabitant of a city, and civitas, which refers to the urban community in which one lives.
The word civilization connotes refinement and progress, but in anthropology the term
refers to_______________.
a. the independence of people to do what they desire
b. societies in which small numbers of people live in socially stratified political systems
c. societies in which large numbers of people live in political systems that lack
stratification
d. societies in which large numbers of people live in socially stratified political systems
e. a and c
W 2. Societies in which large numbers of people live in cities, are socially stratified and
governed by centrally organized political systems are called _______________.
a. urbanizations
b. civilizations
c. nations
d. city-states
e. none of the above
3. The world’s first civilization developed in _______________ between 4,500 and 6,000
years ago.
a. Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq)
b. China
c. Egypt
d. the Indus Valley
e. Mesoamerica
4. The earliest cities developed _______________.
a. from Mesolithic communities
b. from Paleolithic communities
c. from Neolithic villages
d. about 12,000 years ago
e. about 40,000 years ago
W 5. The Mayan city of Tikal may have played an important role as _______________.
a. the capital of Peru
b. a university center for astronomers and mathematicians
c. an important stop on an overland trade route
d. the first industrial center for the production of wheat
e. the place where swords were manufactured to fight the Aztecs
6. By 1,550 years ago, the population of Tikal had achieved a density of _______________
persons per square kilometer.
a. 600 to 700
b. 25
c. 1 million
d. 100 to 150
e. 3,000
7. Which of the following statements about Tikal is incorrect?
a. Tikal was a product of Mayan civilization.
b. Tikal was built in a rain forest region.
c. At the city’s height, it contained as many as 50,000 people.
d. Carved monuments were commissioned by commoners to commemorate important
events in their personal lives.
e. Tikal may have exported flint.
The Emergence of Cities and States
184
8. The city of Tikal was governed by _______________.
a. an egalitarian council of women
b. a hereditary ruling dynasty
c. a council of elders based on kinship
d. elected senators
e. craft guilds
W 9. Farming methods changed dramatically during the shift from Neolithic village life to
urban life. Some cities such as Tikal _______________.
a. began to reduce their population densities so that there would be fewer mouths to
feed
b. built elaborate irrigation systems, including dikes, canals, and reservoirs
c. switched from wild rice to cultivated rice
d. began to cultivate camels
e. cultivated trees and constructed raised fields in areas that were flooded each rainy
season.
10. High crop yields, resulting from agricultural innovations, _______________.
a. makes more protein available so the brain works more efficiently
b. provides more food which supports more people, some of whom might be creative
c. contributes to high populations densities in ancient civilizations
d. more food frees people to become involved with trade for new items
e. people may come to believe that ideas grow just like plants grow
W 11. Invention of new ways of making and doing things is more likely to occur in the context
of _______________.
a. small-scale food foraging societies vs. large, complex societies
b. societies that have a larger number of Nobel Prize winners
c. diversification of labor
d. societies that practice eugenics, or the weeding out of undesirables
e. societies that have a larger supply of obsidian
Chapter 11
185
W 12. The Aztecs and Mayans did not have the same kind of Bronze Age that occurred in the
Old World because _______________.
a. they were less innovative
b. they did not have the raw materials to make bronze
c. they were peaceful, and did not need the bronze for weapons because they had
eliminated warfare
d. they continued to rely upon stone for everyday tasks and used obsidian for cutting
tools
e. the civilizations of the Old World were more creative than the civilizations of the
New World
W 13. Which of the following discoveries at an archaeological site are indicators of a strong
centralized authority?
a. The settlement was laid out in a rectangular grid pattern.
b. The city had a city-wide drainage system.
c. Many monumental buildings existed.
d. The storage buildings contain written records of laws and business transactions.
e. all of the above
14. El Pilar is located not far from Tikal, _______________.
a. in Mexico
b. in Cuba
c. in Spain
d. on the border between Belize and Guatemala
e. on the border between Guatemala and Honduras
W 15. “A pioneering conservation model that draws on lessons learned from recent and distant
past to benefit contemporary populations” is the definition that Anabel Ford gives to
_______________.
a. applied anthropology
b. action archaeology
c. advocacy archaeology
d. advocacy anthropology
e. medical anthropology
The Emergence of Cities and States
186
W 16. The earliest centralized governments had _______________.
a. a king at the head, aided by special advisers
b. formally established laws rather than informal custom
c. a court system rather than public opinion
d. all of the above
e. none of the above
17. In the 16th-century, just before the arrival of the Spanish, the Inca empire of
_______________ covered a rectangular area about 500 miles wide and 2500 miles long.
a. Peru
b. Mexico
c. North America
d. China
e. Southeast Asia
W 18. The Inca are unusual in that _______________.
a. they lived to an extremely old age
b. women were the main rulers
c. they developed computers
d. they supported a civilization by food foraging
e. they had no writing; instead, they used colored strings with knots to keep records
19. In an archaeological excavation you come across a burial. Which of the following would
indicate to you that the society in which the dead person once lived was socially
stratified?
a. placement of the body in a fetal position
b. utensils, figurines, and personal possessions placed with the body
c. skeletal evidence indicating that the person was better nourished than bodies found in
other graves at the site
d. the grave being lined with the pollen of flowers
e. the head detached and placed at the foot of the grave
187
20. The modern-day state of Iraq is home to ______________ archaeological sites preserving
evidence of early civilizations.
a. 10,000
b. 8,000
c. 3,000
d. 1,500
e. 500
21. The theories in the textbook that attempt to explain the emergence of governing elite and
early civilizations all focus on what they assume to be a key ingredient, which is
_______________.
a. social stratification
b. a centralized authority
c. intensification of agriculture
d. diversification of labor
e. egalitarian social organization
22. C. Brain Rose developed an innovative program at the Archaeological Institute of
America to educate _______________ about sites with which they may come in contact
during their work.
a. construction workers
b. priests
c. teachers
d. diplomats
e. military troops
23. Which of the following supports Wittfogel’s irrigation, or hydraulic theory of
civilization?
a. Cities were established in Mesopotamia by 2000, and irrigation was regulated by
local temples on a small scale.
b. Highland New Guinea had an egalitarian social structure and large-scale irrigation
systems.
c. Ancient Egyptian civilization had an elaborate priesthood and specialists in astronomy
who built dikes and canals and tried to predict when the Nile would flood; these
specialists formed the core of an elite social class having direct input into the governing
body.
d. all of the above
e. none of the above
The Emergence of Cities and States
24. Which of the following is considered a “disease of civilization”?
a. gangrene
b. accidents
c. bloating
d. gastro-intestinal disturbance
e. tuberculosis (TB)
25. Some theories that explain the rise of civilization fail to recognize the capacity of
aggressive, charismatic leaders to shape the course of human history. One theory that
acknowledges not only the relationship of society to the environment in shaping social and
cultural behavior, but the forceful leaders who create change by striving to advance their
positions through self-serving actions. This theory is called
a. high stratified theory
b. diversification theory
c. action theory
d. redistribution theory
e. egalitarian theory
26. According to Robert Carneiro, when a population is circumscribed, _______________.
a. it is prevented from expanding
b. members must compete for scarce resources
c. an elite is likely to emerge that controls access to resources
d. it is likely to become centrally organized to fight more effectively with other societies
to gain more resources
e. all of the above
27. According to Carneiro’s theory of environmental and social circumscription, which of the
following situations would be likely to give rise to civilization?
a. when Neolithic villagers first began to expand into the vast interior of central Europe
b. when settlers moving along the Rhone and Rhine made it to the western coast of
Europe and found themselves hemmed in by the sea and other settlements that had
been established behind them
c. when seafaring peoples began to populate the Pacific islands
d. when Paleolithic food foragers first entered the New World
e. all of the above
28. Many anthropologists stress the importance of beliefs and values in contributing to the
development of civilization. According to some people, Tikal grew into a large city
primarily because it was a(n) _______________ center.
a. religious
b. trade
c. government
d. slash-and-burn
e. irrigation
29. Which of the following support/s the argument that beliefs and values are just as
important as ecological relationships in contributing to the emergence of civilization?
a. As Tikal switched from slash-and-burn to raised fields and cultivated trees, it could
support a larger, denser population.
b. Located between two rivers, Tikal developed as an important center in a system of
trade.
c. The uncertainties of agriculture in Mesoamerica led to the establishment of Tikal as a
religious center in which priests tried to cope with these uncertainties.
d. The strong artistic abilities of the Mayans led to the early development of writing in
the form of pictographs and ideograms.
e. all of the above
30. Chicken pox, influenza and measles, which have short lifespans and must be passed
quickly to another host if the strain is to survive, would have the longest period of
existence in which of the following situations?
a. a logging camp in Canada composed of 100 workers who work outside all day and
then live in dispersed cabins
b. a food foraging band of 25 to 40 people
c. a farming community of isolated households
d. an urban environment
e. a space colony in which everyone is separated by a disease-resistant bubble-suit
The Emergence of Cities and States
31. Which of the following problems is/are more likely to be found in civilization as opposed
to a food foraging band?
a. diseases resulting from the accumulation of waste
b. diseases such as flu, measles, mumps, polio, rubella, and smallpox
c. social problems resulting from some people having more access than others to the
basic resources needed to survive
d. conflict over scarce resources
e. all of the above
32. Individuals with the Tay-Sachs allele are protected against _______________.
a. malaria
b. cholera
c. tuberculosis
d. AIDS
e. yellow fever
33. This statement “it is as if a number of what otherwise would be separate Neolithic
villages were all crammed together in one place,” would be a description of what ancient
city?
a. Çatalhöyük
b. Sumer
c. Teotihuacan
d. Tenochtitlan
e. Jericho
34. Evidence suggests that ancient planners designed the city of _______________ to have
the San Juan River run through it.
a. Macchu Picchu
b. Tikal
c. Chichen Itza
d. Teotihaucan
e. Tulum
35. For several hundred years, Tikal was able to sustain its ever-growing population. Then the
pressure for food and land reached a critical point, and population growth was halted. At
the same time, warfare with other cities was becoming increasingly destructive. All of this
is marked archaeologically by which of the following?
a. by the advent of nutritional problems as evidenced by bones from burials
b. by the construction of a system of defensive ditches and embankments
c. by the pull back from prime land in rural areas
d. by the construction of artificially raised fields in areas that were flooded each rainy
season
e. a, b, and c
36. An indication that Teotihuacan had strong centralized control is evidenced by the
_______________.
a. law codes
b. forced relocation of people from the Basin of Mexico
c. temple records
d. all of the above
e. none of the above
37. Some civilizations flourished under a ruler with extraordinary governing abilities. Other
civilizations possessed a widespread governing bureaucracy that was very efficient at
every level. The civilization exemplifies the latter.
a. Babylonian
b. Aztec
c. Inca
d. Egyptian
e. none of the above
38. This theory for the emergence of civilization recognizes the systemic nature of society
and the impact of the environment in shaping social and cultural behavior, but recognizes
that forceful leaders in any society strive to advance their material or political positions
through self-serving actions.
a. environmental and social circumscription theory
b. trade networks theory
c. hydraulic theory
d. functional theory
e. action theory
The Emergence of Cities and States
39. In the case of the Maya, it was the combination of cultural and ecological factors in
existence that opened the way for emergence of
a. religious hierarchies.
b. political dynasties.
c. an egalitarian system.
d. a more democratic system.
e. a bureaucracy.
40. The first major culture change that characterizes life in cities occurred in
_______________.
a. labor
b. farming methods
c. government
d. social standing
e. art
41. As pointed out in your textbook, _______________ grew out of the need to not depend
on seasonal rain cycles.
a. writing systems
b. chemistry
c. astronomy
d. astrology
e. irrigation
42. Controversy exists around the question of the earliest evidence of _______________,
although the earliest was linked to Mesopotamia.
a. painting
b. sculpting
c. mining
d. writing
e. foraging
43. Of the many ancient kings known, one stands out as truly remarkable for the efficient
government organization and highly developed legal system that characterized his reign.
This is the Babylonian king _______________, who lived between 3,700 and 3,950 years
ago.
a. Herod
b. Arthur
c. Hammurabi
d. Tut
e. Hammitup
44. Some civilizations possessed a widespread governing bureaucracy that was very efficient
at every level. As mentioned in your textbook, that of the _______________ civilization
is a relatively well-known example of an efficiently-run government.
a. Aztec
b. Maya
c. Persian
d. Macedonian
e. Inca
45. Objects such as utensils, figurines, and personal possessions placed in the burial chamber
with the deceased are collectively called _______________.
a. burial offerings
b. grave goods
c. grave gifts
d. afterlife possessions
e. future possessions
46. Because the Maya writing system was especially sophisticated, the texts record
________________.
a. celebrations of accomplishments of rulers.
b. royal marriages.
c. genealogies.
d. astronomical events.
e. all of the above
47. As mentioned in your textbook, several factors–religious, economic, and political–
interacted in complex ways, with religion playing a central role, in establishing
_______________ as an urban center.
a. Tenochtitlan
b. Teotihaucan
c. Tikal
d. Uxmal
e. Chichen Itza
TRUE/FALSE
W 1. The word “civilization” comes from the Latin word for “city-dweller.”
W 2. Based on the fact that the Maya calendar can be precisely correlated with our own, it is
known that their civilization flourished until about 1,100 years ago.
W 3. All civilizations usually develop a strong centralized authority or governing elite.
W 4. Archaeologists infer the existence of social stratification in ancient civilizations from
written documents, among other things.
W 5. Grave goods are found in every burial.
6. Tikal was one of the largest Aztec cities, reaching a size of over 100,000 inhabitants, and
is still an important religious center.
7. Tikal was a major religious and trading center.
8. El Pilar is located in Mexico.
9. The Bronze Age began about 10,000 years ago
10. The emergence of a governing elite characterized early civilizations.
11. Governments of the past ensured that cities were safe from enemies by constructing
fortifications and raising armies.
12. Domination is a more a reflection of aggression, size and power than it is cultural
superiority.
13. In stratified societies, the elite usually live longer, eat better, and enjoy an easier life than
other members of society.
14. The first archaeological investigations of the site of Tikal are attributed to the Greek
historian Herodotus who wrote about Tikal in his work, Histories.
15. As reported in your textbook, measles is likely to die out in any human population with
fewer than half a million people.
16. In essence, early cities tended to be disease-free places, with relatively low death rates.
17. Your textbook notes that many of the problems associated with the first civilizations are
still with us.
18. Understanding past civilizations represents a central part of the anthropologist’s mission
and can contribute to the ability of our species to transcend human-made problems.
19. Not until recently did public health measures reduce the risk of living in cities.
SHORT ANSWER
1. When and where did the first cities emerge?
2. What effect did higher crop yields and increased population have on diversification and
innovation?
3. Describe the evidence used to infer the existence of diversification of labor.
4. How did governments of the past ensure that cities were safe?
5. What is meant by the Bronze Age that occurred in Eurasia and Africa?
6. How does the action theory hypothesize the growth of civilization?
7. Describe the hydraulic theory on the origins of civilization.
8. Describe the Inca civilization’s population base.
9. What are the major stresses suffered by people in early civilizations?
10. Why was an excavation of small structures most of which were probably houses, in
researching Tikal?
11. What problems prevented excavating all the structures in and around Tikal?
12. Explain how the large population of Tikal was controlled.
13. Why do archaeologists believe Tikal’s population growth came to a halt?
14. What are the factors contributing to the disease in civilized societies?
15. What did high crop yields due to new farming methods and increased population make
possible?
16. What changes in culture occurred with the rise of cities?
17. Why did the Maya and Aztecs not use metal instead of stone for their everyday tools?
18. What did the invention of writing allow central authorities to do?
19. What was an unusual feature of the Inca civilization?
20. The ancient Maya, in a tropical rainforest setting, carried out large-scale urban
construction and sustained huge numbers of people successfully for two millennia. How
were they able to accomplish this feat?
The Emergence of Cities and States
ESSAY
1. Describe the major methodological features of the excavation at Tikal. How were
inferences drawn from the material record?
2. Trace how the Mayan city of Tikal evolved, applying and evaluating each of the major
theories of the emergence of civilization with regard to this case.
3. Describe the importance taxes and tax collectors in the emergence of civilizations.
4. Is social stratification necessary for civilizations to exist? Does the understanding of
social stratification in the past contribute to the understanding of contemporary issues of
social justice?
5. How do archaeologists rate “firsts” such as the first writing, the first civilization? Is it
better to wait until all the evidence is gathered before making the claims?
6. What are the achievements of the Inca governmental and political system and why are
they important to the study of human history?
7. Living in the context of civilization ourselves, we are inclined to view its development as
a great step upward on some sort of ladder of progress. Whatever benefits civilization has
brought, though, the cultural changes it represents produced new sorts of problems.
Identify and describe those problems.
8. Technological innovations continually led to further population expansion creating new
biological and social challenges. Discuss the new challenges brought about by population
expansion.
9. Does today’s global communication and economic networks mean that it is possible for
social systems to become less centralized, or is centralized authority always necessary?