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Just 10km from the city Oaxaca up a steep hill, Monte Albán is one of the most impressive ruins in the Americas, and is a listed UNESCO World Heritage site. It is showcase of the ancient Zapotec culture; settled as early as the 6C BC, it reached its zenith between 350-750 AD. From about 750 until the arrival of the Spanish in the early 16C, the site was occupied by the related Mixtec culture, which mixed with it and eventually predominated. The site consists of a central plaza surrounded by temples, ballcourts, and other structures used for religious and ceremonial purposes.
View of the central plaza, looking south from atop the Patio Hundido. |
Another view of the central plaza. |
View of a small pyramid near the Northern Platform. |
A view of Montículo J, one of the oldest structures in Monte Albán and thought to have been used for astronomical observations. |
This is Building H, in the estaren part of the central plaza. Its exact use is a matter of speculation. |
Los Danzantes (The Dancers), stones taken from the nearby tomb on the central plaza. |
Looking west; the structure in the foreground is Sistema M, a large temple complex. |
A view of the Southern Platform. |
Ceremonial pyramids near the Southern Platform. |
Looking west; the building in center is El Palacio, probably used as a dressing place for the priesthood. |
A small subsidiary pyramid near the Southern Platform. |
View of the ballcourt (Juego de Pelota), near the southern entrance to the site. |
A view of the volcano Ixtaccíhuatl taken from the plane on my return to Mexico City. |
Map courtesy of Lonely Planet. |
