Question

which of the following sciences seems to have been important to people in all three of the mayan, aztec, and incan cultures?
archaeology
marine biology
mathematics
astronomy

Explanation:

• Archaeology: This is a modern - day science used to study past cultures. The Mayans, Aztecs, and Incans were ancient civilizations, and they did not practice archaeology as we know it.
• Marine biology: While some of these cultures had access to water bodies, marine biology (the study of ocean life in a scientific, systematic way) was not a prominent and common science among all three.
• Mathematics: Although mathematics was important in these cultures (e.g., the Mayans had a sophisticated number system), astronomy was more directly related to their religious, agricultural, and calendrical practices which were common across all three.
• Astronomy:
• Mayans: Had an advanced astronomical knowledge used for creating calendars (e.g., the Tzolk'in and Haab' calendars) which were crucial for religious ceremonies (predicting celestial events for sacrifices etc.) and agricultural cycles (knowing when to plant and harvest).
• Aztecs: Also used astronomy for calendrical and religious purposes. Their calendar was influenced by astronomical observations, and celestial events were associated with their gods.
• Incas: Their architecture (e.g., the alignment of temples) was often based on astronomical observations. They used the sun, stars, and constellations for agricultural planning (e.g., the position of the Pleiades to mark the start of the rainy season) and religious - ceremonial activities.

Answer:

D. Astronomy