| A | B |
|---|
| Mesoamerica | a region extending from central Mexico into northern Central America |
| slash and burn agriculture | clearing small plots of land for farming by cutting down the forest and burning the felled trees and plants as fertilizer |
| John L. Stephens | Together with Frederick Catherwood, he rediscovered Mayan ruins lost for centuries |
| drought | a long period of little or no rainfall |
| extended family | a grouping of several related families that lived together |
| sphere of influence | an area strongly influence or dominated by a particular ruler or government |
| alliance | an agreement between people or states to cooperate to achieve a common goal |
| elite | a small group of highly privileged or skilled people |
| hieroglyph | a symbol that stands for a word, idea, or sound |
| codex | an ancient book that was written by hand |
| stela | a carved stone slab or pillar usually created to celebrate an event or person |
