Monte Albán
Ernesto González Licón y Marcus Winter
This pre-Hispanic town was the ancient capital of the Zapotecs and flourished between 500 B.C. and 800 A.D., so it is one of the New World´s very earliest cities.

The people who founded Monte Albán were from the surrounding communities and their tongue was an ancestral Zapotec. They build their city on the crests of several hills in the middle of the valley, where the number of inhabitants eventually reached 35,000.

Monte Albán is remarkable for its beautiful architecture, stone carvings , and gray clay urns. Many of the latter, some with portrayals of richly attired priests on them and all reflecting belief in a hereafter, were found in the almost 190 graves uncovered to date.

Some time around the year 800 A.D. the population decreased. However, the fabulous offerings dug out from Monte Albán´s Tomb 7 show that the city remained inhabited and in use as a holy place right down to the coming of the Spaniards.

In 1987 the site was declared a Cultural Patrimony of Humanity by the UNESCO.


HISTORY OF THE SITE

From the time of its foundation, in Monte Albán I period (500 B.C. - 100A.D.), the site cornered political and economic power in the region. Meanwhile, the hilltops were leveled off to make way for the main buildings and central plaza.

Over the 150 years corresponding to Monte Albán II period (100 - 250 A.D.), each new generation kept evening out the plaza. Archaeological findings show that the populace had contacted Mayan groups from Chiapas and Guatemala who passed their bat worship practices on to them.

Population peaked during Monte Albán III period. This time span corresponds to Meso-America´s Classic period, but for this site it is broken down into two subphases.

During the first (250-650 A.D.), Teotihuacan´s art made clear imprints, as witnessed in building decoration, pottery, and tombs. In the second, Monte Albán flourished for a time in the wake of Teotihuacan´s decline and up to around 800 A.D. Throughout this subphase the Zapotecs built new units over previous ones, and most are those buildings we can tour today.

The IV period (800-1325 A.D.) spans the centuries between tha fall of the great urban centers and the rise feudal estates involving the occupation of smaller cities. Building of monumental structures ceased and the population dropped off.

In the fifth and last phase, known as Monte Albán V (1325-1521 A.D.), the valley was invaded by Mixtecs who settled in neighboring locations such as Zaachila and Xoxocotlán. These newcomers turned Monte Albán into their own ceremonial and burial place.

Monte Alban Archaeological Site opens everyday from 8 to 5 p.m. Admission $37.00 pesos. Phone (951) 516.1215.

Go-Oaxaca Tours organizes tours to Monte Albán everyday at 10 am & 3 pm. For more information or to reserve send an e-mail tours@go-oaxaca.com