Understanding Maya Cities: Interpretations

History
Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
8 questions
~16 mins
1 views0 downloads

About This Worksheet

This worksheet explores different historical interpretations of Maya cities, helping students compare perspectives and evaluate their validity.

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Understanding Maya Cities: Interpretations

Subject: HistoryGrade: Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
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Grade Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
A

Contrasting Historians' Views on Maya Cities

Historian A: John Doe – Economic Perspective "John Doe argues that Maya cities were primarily centers of trade and wealth. He emphasizes the archaeological evidence of elaborate marketplaces, trade routes, and the distribution of goods like obsidian and jade. According to him, these aspects show that Maya cities thrived economically, with a focus on commerce and resource exchange that supported their social hierarchy. Doe believes that understanding the economy is key to understanding the development and importance of Maya cities."

Historian B: Jane Smith – Social Perspective "Jane Smith maintains that Maya cities were mainly centers of religious and social activity. She highlights the large ceremonial structures, murals depicting rituals, and the significance of religion in daily life. Smith argues that the social fabric of Maya cities was built around religious ceremonies, social hierarchies, and community identity. She suggests that these cultural aspects were more central to Maya city life than economic trade."

B

Questions

1.
Summarize each historian's view on the main purpose of Maya cities.
[3 marks]
2.
Explain why the two historians have different views about Maya cities.
[4 marks]
3.
Compare the strengths of each historian's argument. Which do you find more convincing and why?
[6 marks]
4.
Outline how archaeological evidence can be used to support each historian's interpretation.
[3 marks]
5.
Analyse which historian's view provides a more comprehensive understanding of Maya cities and justify your choice.
[6 marks]
6.
Describe how the perspectives of these two historians help us understand the complexity of Maya cities.
[3 marks]
7.
Identify one limitation of each historian's interpretation and suggest how additional evidence could improve their arguments.
[6 marks]
8.
Reflect on why it is important to consider multiple perspectives when studying ancient societies like the Maya.
[3 marks]

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Details

Created
1/1/2026
Updated
1/1/2026
Type
worksheet