Monte Alban was easily among the largest and most influential city-states during early Mesoamerican history. Established by the Zapotec civilization in the 5th century BCE, Monte Alban flourished for 1,500 years. Its eventual collapse coincides roughly with the fall of the great classic Maya city-states of the Petén, such as Tikal, over 800 miles away….
The mountains and plains surrounding Oaxaca de Juárez are jam-packed with archaeological sites. Here are eight of our favorites.
Along comes January on the Yucatán Peninsula, and that is about the time we start to feel the doldrums of our version of winter. It is hard to convince anyone from the north, where the wind blows through the clapboards and an ice storm covers anything that doesn’t move, that here in Mérida, we have…
Established in the 7th century BCE, Dainzú was, along with San José del Mogote, already going strong for centuries by the time of the founding of Monte Albán.
There’s an edgy side to one of Mexico’s most compelling cities.
Though we will likely never know what these first settlers called the site over 4000 years ago, its Zapotec name Yagul roughly translates to “old tree.”
A contemporary of several of the Olmecs’ most ancient settlements is the Zapotec ceremonial center of San José del Mogote. Founded around 1500 BCE, San José del Mogote is notable not only for its sheer antiquity but also for the size of its temples and inscriptions. During the last half of the 1960s, research teams…
Sometime after abandoning Monte Alban, the Zapotec began construction of a new settlement we today call by its Nahuatl name, Mitla.
The Zapotec city of Lambityeco dates to the late classical period and is known for its extraordinary artworks including stucco masks and tombs.
Established by the Zapotec civilization in the 5th century B.C.E. Monte Alban flourished for 1,500 years until its eventual collapse.
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