Which direction did maize diffusion primarily occur in the early Americas according to the material?

• A. South From The Great Plains
• B. North From The Pampas
• C. North And South From The Andean Highlands
• D. North And South From Mesoamerica

Answer: (D)

Maize was first domesticated in Mesoamerica, and from there it spread outward in both directions. The material describes diffusion as moving north into what is now the southwestern United States and across North America, and also south into the Andean and other South American regions. So the best description is that maize diffusion went north and south from Mesoamerica. The other directions imply the crop originating elsewhere—such as from the Pampas or the Great Plains or from the Andes—which isn’t the case. The Andes did receive maize later, but the starting point is Mesoamerica, with spread occurring in both northern and southern directions.