USA HISTORY

FIRST CONTACTS 28000 BCE 1821 CE

MESOAMERICAN CIVILIZATIONS THE OLMECS TO CORTES

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
Many Maya pyramids were topped by
A
observatories.
B
temples.
C
palaces.
D
tombs.
Explanation: 

Detailed explanation-1: -The first type of pyramid had a temple on the top and was meant to be climbed by the priests to make sacrifices to the gods. The stairs going up the sides of these pyramids were steep, but not too steep for the priests to climb. The most important religious ceremonies were held at the top of these pyramids.

Detailed explanation-2: -Most of these structures also have actual staircases leading up the sides for people to climb-though some of them were very steep. Maya pyramids didn’t have a pointed apex at the top-instead, they were often topped with a flat platform or small, flat-roofed, temple building.

Detailed explanation-3: -The temple on top was used exclusively by priests who performed sacred rituals at a height that brought them closer to the gods in the sky. Priests ascended one of the four staircases to reach the temple-the pyramid was never meant to be entered.

Detailed explanation-4: -The pyramids also functioned as temples; only priests were allowed to climb to the top of the stairs, where they performed religious rituals, including sacrifices. Pyramids were often part of large complexes that included palaces, ball courts, plazas, and courtyards.

Detailed explanation-5: -What were Mayan temples used for? These were the venues for many ceremonies such as sacrificial rituals and were temples for gods. Apart from this, they served other important functions such as being used as landmarks to help in navigation.

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