Which feature indicates Mississippian contact with distant civilizations?

• A. Varied abalone shells and Maya-like artwork
• B. A complete absence of any outside influences
• C. A formal writing system identical to Mesopotamia
• D. A centralized, East Asian-inspired government

Answer: (A)

This item tests recognizing evidence of long-distance contact in Mississippian culture. Finding varied abalone shells and Maya-like artwork at Mississippian sites shows materials and stylistic influences coming from far beyond the region. Abalone shells come from distant coastal sources, and Maya-like motifs point to contact or exchange with Mesoamerican civilizations. Together, they indicate networks that moved goods, ideas, and imagery across vast distances, rather than an isolated local culture. The other options propose no outside influence, a Mesopotamian writing system, or East Asian-style governance, none of which match what archaeologists actually find in Mississippian artifacts.