Monte Albán is an ancient archaeological site located in Oaxaca, Mexico. It was the capital of the Zapotec civilization and one of the earliest cities in Mesoamerica, founded around 500 BCE. The site is perched on a hilltop, offering strategic views of the surrounding valleys. It features impressive structures such as pyramids, terraces, tombs, and a ball court. Monte Albán thrived as a cultural and political centre for over a millennium, later influenced by the Mixtec civilization. Today, it stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcasing the rich history of pre-Columbian Mexico.
Established in 500 BCE in the Valley of Oaxaca by the Zapotecs, Monte Alban was one of the first cities in the Americas and was to become the main centre for government and have a significant effect on the development of the arts and science.
The Zapotec civilization, known as the "Cloud People," flourished in the Valley of Oaxaca in southern Mexico from around 700 BCE to 1521 CE. They were one of the most influential Mesoamerican cultures, leaving a lasting legacy in art, architecture, and writing.
Monte Albán was their capital city and was one of the first major urban centres in Mesoamerica, featuring monumental buildings, ball court, and intricate tombs. The Zapotecs developed a hieroglyphic writing system and a calendar, showcasing their intellectual achievements. They were also skilled in agriculture, engineering, and trade, connecting with other civilizations like the Olmecs and Maya.
The Zapotec society was hierarchical, with nobility believed to have divine origins. Their religion was polytheistic, and they built elaborate temples to honour their gods. Despite their decline after the Spanish conquest, the Zapotec culture continues to thrive, with many descendants preserving their traditions and languages.
It reached its height in the years 350 – 550 CE during the classical period. Around 800 CE the city began to lose its power to the Mixtec and cities such as Mitla and by 850 CE the soil around Monte Alban was exhausted and the city was virtually deserted. In the years that followed it became a sacred site to the Mixtec who would visit it but did not occupy it, although considering it a sacred site they would bury their dead there and a number of tombs have been found and exhibits of these can be seen in the on-site museum located at the entrance of the archaeological zone. Open since 1985, the museum showcases Zapotec ceramics, sculptures, and engraved steles that highlight the development of the Zapotec writing system over centuries. Visitors can explore the exhibit halls displaying the ceramics, sculpture, and additional items found at the site. Although, many of the objects found at the site have been taken to the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City.
Located on the top of an artificially levelled hill, the site provides an excellent impression of the city as it would have been during its occupation with the Main Plaza providing an impressive site for visitors with the buildings placed around its sides. Measuring approximately 300 meters by 200 meters the Plaza is the site's main civic and ceremonial area. It also includes residential buildings used by the elite of the city, these are located around the plaza or in its vicinity.
The Main Plaza at Monte Albán is the heart of this ancient Zapotec city. It is a vast, open rectangular space surrounded by impressive structures, including platforms, temples, and palaces.
The plaza served as the central place for religious ceremonies, political gatherings, and social activities, reflecting the city's importance as a cultural and ceremonial centre.
The Main Plaza's layout and architecture demonstrate the advanced urban planning and engineering skills of the Zapotec civilization.
To the north is the sunken patio surrounded by terraces, in the centre of which is an altar for human sacrifices. Surrounded by platforms and staircases, this suggests it was a focal point for gatherings and ceremonies. The altars reflect the advanced architectural and cultural achievements of the Zapotecs, blending functionality with symbolic meaning.
Other altars at Monte Albán are integral to the site's ceremonial and religious significance. These structures were used for rituals and offerings, often dedicated to deities or celestial events. They are typically located within the Main Plaza and other key areas of the site, emphasizing their importance in the spiritual life of the Zapotec civilization.
To the north and south of the Main Plaza are large platforms that are accessed via monumental staircases. These were likely used for rituals and administrative purposes and provide panoramic views of the site.
To the eastern and western sides are a number of smaller platform mounds on which temples and residences for the elite were situated.
In the centre of the Main Plaza, is a building that has an unusual arrow-like shape. Known as Building J, it is orientated differently from most of the other structures at the site; although it has been suggested that the differing alignment was due to it being an Observatory. Other buildings are also connected to the astronomical aspects of the site such as a shaft aligning with the sun when it is at its zenith. Consequently, it is often referred to as an "observatory" due to its possible astronomical significance. Researchers have suggested that its design might have been used for observing celestial events, such as the position of stars or the sun. The building's peculiar pentagonal shape and alignment set it apart from other structures at the site.
Some studies propose that Building J served as a calendar temple, connecting astronomy with the Mesoamerican calendar system. Its stairway faces northeast, and there are indications that it might have been used for astronomical observations.
In the southwest corner is the Gallery of the Dancers or "Los Danzantes," which is one of the most intriguing features of Monte Albán. It consists of over 300 carved stone slabs depicting human figures in various poses. These figures are often referred to as "dancers," although there are a number of theories with regard these, and it has been suggested that they represent tortured prisoners, warriors, or individuals involved in rituals. However, a number of reliefs show figures in grotesque postures and could be people with deformities, as the city may have been used as a teaching centre.
The carvings showcase the artistic skill of the Zapotec civilization and provide insights into their cultural and ceremonial practices.
Also to be seen is the ball court, this differs from the ones found in Maya cities as it has no ring, so provides an indication of variations in the game.
The Ball Court at Monte Albán is a fascinating feature of this ancient Zapotec city. It dates back to the Classic Period (150–650 CE) and was used for the Mesoamerican ballgame, a sport with both recreational and ceremonial significance. The court is shaped like a capital "I," with sloping walls on either side where players aimed to pass a rubber ball through stone hoops, using only their hips, elbows, or knees; hands were not allowed.
This game was more than just entertainment; it held deep religious and cultural importance, often symbolizing the struggle between life and death or the movement of celestial bodies. The Ball Court at Monte Albán reflects the advanced architectural and cultural achievements of the Zapotec civilization.
In 1987, Monte Alban, along with the Historic Centre of Oaxaca, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
To see more photographs and take a virtual tour of the site click on photoshow below.
