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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the title of the person who performed the ritual chant at the Sacred Urn?

2. In what language was the Sunday matinee held?

3. What adjective is used to describe the feeling in the crowd?

4. What item in the room represents the essence of religious communication?

5. The item seemed especially designed to communicate with which two gods?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the Great Altar? What is atop the Altar? What is the upper object's primary function?

2. What was the main error in setting up the exhibit in the Museum? What problem did it cause? Whose fault was the error?

3. According to the text what surrounded the complex outside? What would the area be described as in today's terms?

4. Explain the unique design of the coffee service. What is the pot shape? What is the shape of the cups? How many cups are there to the set?

5. Describe the Sacred Points Bookends. What are the bookends made out of and what uses might they have?

6. Explain how the scientists viewed the mosaic tile. How was it decorated? Where was it typically found?

7. How did the scientists come to the conclusion that communication would be possible even after a person's death?

8. What happened to Howard Carson after he returned to his former interest and research involving the camels?

9. When did Harriet meet her untimely demise? What happened?

10. Who traveled along with the treasures? What was the purpose of traveling this way?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the book, Howard Carson maintains a fascination with camels. In the beginning of the book, Carson researches hump productivity. What prompted Carson to study hump productivity in the first place? Does Carson ever figure out the use for the camel's hump? How could it become more "productive?" What would it produce? Why do you think Carson was so fascinated with camels? What is the mass that makes up a camel's hump? What were Carson's final assessments and/or achievements regarding the camel? What piece of history was made due to Carson's research?

Essay Topic 2

Examine the relationship between Howard Carson and Harriet Burton. In the beginning of the book Harriet is referred to as a colleague. As the book goes on it becomes clear that Harriet has a sense of deep devotion toward Carson. Write a detailed synopsis of the relationship between the two excavators. What were the pros and cons? Did either person make it obvious that there was something more than a purely professional relationship? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Water is a common theme when researching ancient cultures. In the case of the Motel of the Mysteries, there are several sections that refer to the use of water, from the Inner Chamber to the pool area by the Great Courtyard. Discuss each item that can be related to water. Explain its real use, the use created for the book, and how each item works. Why is water so important? What can be learned about a culture's use of water? When was the first water vessel discovered? Where?

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