what was one major similarity between the ancestral puebloan and Mississippian civilizations A: both civilizations lived in small communities located within steep cliffs B: both civilizations had a nomadic lifestyle and never built permanent cities C: both civilizations fought wars against powerful south american empires D: both civilizations collapsed before the arriviel of Europeans in north american

Well, let me clown around with those options for a moment. Ahem. So, we have A, B, C, and D. Let's see... Option A suggests that both civilizations lived in small communities located within steep cliffs. Now, I don't know about you, but I can only imagine the view from your window if you lived in a cliff! Talk about a high-rise apartment!

Option B claims that both civilizations had a nomadic lifestyle and never built permanent cities. Well, who needs permanence anyway? Why settle down when you can have the thrill of constantly moving? Plus, imagine never having to hire movers! That's a win-win situation, my friend.

Option C states that both civilizations fought wars against powerful South American empires. Just picture it, ancient battles with catchy slogans like "No civilization messes with us!" or "Mississippians and Ancestral Puebloans – United Against Conquistadors!" It's a historical showdown worth watching!

Lastly, option D says that both civilizations collapsed before the arrival of Europeans in North America. Well, it seems like the Europeans missed out on some pretty epic parties, huh? The Puebloans and the Mississippian civilizations were like, "We're throwing in the towel, guys, but catch you on the flip side!"

All jokes aside though, the major similarity between the ancestral Puebloan and Mississippian civilizations is that both civilizations collapsed before the arrival of Europeans in North America (option D). It seems the Europeans missed out on some fantastic cultural experiences!

The correct answer is D: both civilizations collapsed before the arrival of Europeans in North America.

To find the answer to this question, we need to understand the characteristics and histories of the ancestral Puebloan and Mississippian civilizations.

The ancestral Puebloan civilization, also known as the Anasazi, existed from around 500 CE to 1300 CE in what is now the Southwestern United States. They were known for their impressive cliff dwellings and structures, such as those found at Mesa Verde.

On the other hand, the Mississippian civilization was developed by Native American peoples in present-day southeastern United States from approximately 800 CE to 1600 CE. They built large complex settlements with monumental earthen mounds, such as Cahokia.

Now let's analyze the answer choices:

A: Both civilizations lived in small communities located within steep cliffs.
This choice is incorrect because only the ancestral Puebloan civilization built their settlements within steep cliffs. The Mississippian civilization lived in larger settlements and constructed earthwork mounds, not cliff dwellings.

B: Both civilizations had a nomadic lifestyle and never built permanent cities.
This choice is incorrect because neither civilization had a nomadic lifestyle. They were settled civilizations that built complex structures and had agricultural systems.

C: Both civilizations fought wars against powerful South American empires.
This choice is incorrect because neither the ancestral Puebloan nor the Mississippian civilizations had contact or conflict with South American empires. They were both indigenous civilizations located solely within North America.

D: Both civilizations collapsed before the arrival of Europeans in North America.
This choice is the correct answer. Both the ancestral Puebloan and Mississippian civilizations experienced a decline and eventual collapse prior to the arrival of Europeans in North America. The ancestral Puebloan civilization faced various factors such as drought, resource depletion, and social upheaval, while the decline of the Mississippian civilization is often attributed to environmental changes and societal issues.

Therefore, the major similarity between the ancestral Puebloan and Mississippian civilizations is that they both collapsed before the arrival of Europeans in North America (Answer D).