| Mitla Ruin Site Oaxaca, Mexico |
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Mitla: Oaxaca Ruin Sites
Mitla Ruin Site Oaxaca
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Mitla Ruin Site (City of the Dead)
Mitla is Located at 16-55' N and
96-24' W in the State of Oaxaca on
Route 190, the highway from Oaxaca
City to the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, 25
miles from Oaxaca City.
96-24' W in the State of Oaxaca on
Route 190, the highway from Oaxaca
City to the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, 25
miles from Oaxaca City.
Mitla was first built by the Zapotec culture in
200-500 AD and then influenced in later
building stages by the Mixtec culture from the
northern mountains who had entered the
region in 900 AD after the decline of Monte
Alban.
200-500 AD and then influenced in later
building stages by the Mixtec culture from the
northern mountains who had entered the
region in 900 AD after the decline of Monte
Alban.
Mitla is surrounded by area caves that had
been occupied since pre-ceramic times and
are continually used today by the local people
for religious ceremonies and healing rituals.
been occupied since pre-ceramic times and
are continually used today by the local people
for religious ceremonies and healing rituals.
Mitla ruin Site is a fee area: 34 pesos. (3.40
USD)
USD)
Mitla Ruin is done in a unique architectural
style with complex mosaic designs
throughout the site. Two tomb chambers are
open to the public
style with complex mosaic designs
throughout the site. Two tomb chambers are
open to the public
The city was first built by the Zapotec culture in 500 AD and then influenced in later building stages by the
Mixtec culture from the northern mountains who had entered the region in 900 AD after the decline of
Monte Alban.
Mixtec culture from the northern mountains who had entered the region in 900 AD after the decline of
Monte Alban.
These same designs to a lesser extent can be found on buildings at the weaving village of
Teotitlan del Valle and at the ruin site of Yagul a few miles to the north.
Teotitlan del Valle and at the ruin site of Yagul a few miles to the north.
Mitla's cruciform tomb chambers are open to the public. The several chambered tombs have
linings done in similar post-classic mosaic designs and patterns that are found on building
facades throughout the site.
linings done in similar post-classic mosaic designs and patterns that are found on building
facades throughout the site.
Mitla Ruin Site buildings are accessible daily
unless repair work is underway
unless repair work is underway
The Spanish colonizers built their church on
top of the existing Zapotec temple
top of the existing Zapotec temple
Mitla's mosaic patterns have been incorporated by the local weavers into their rug designs.
These designs are considered post-classic for the Oaxacan Valley, their stepped fret patterns
done with cut stone and with such intensity as to be unique in Mesoamerica.
These designs are considered post-classic for the Oaxacan Valley, their stepped fret patterns
done with cut stone and with such intensity as to be unique in Mesoamerica.
Tomb wall designs
Entrance to the tombs is on the patio below the buildings.
Archaeological evidence suggests that the tombs would have been used many times, each new
burial accompanied by offerings and the existing skeletons and offerings moved to the side for
the new burial.
burial accompanied by offerings and the existing skeletons and offerings moved to the side for
the new burial.
Oaxaca City has many ruin sites within a few miles of the city. Theses major archaeological
sites with building stages that span 1200 BC to 1519 AD are open to the public and can be
reached by car, taxi, or public bus.
Other Sites
Of this group Monte Alban, Mitla, and San Jose El Mogote have museums and can be reached
easily by public transportation.
Lambyteco can be reached by public bus or taxi/collectivo while Yagul, Dainzu, and Huijazoo
can be harder to reach by public transportation because of remote access roads .
Tours to the ruins are available through agencies, or guides in Oaxaca City or the visitor can
self guide using the well marked trails and explanatory plaques done in the Zapotec language,
in Spanish, and in English.
Oaxaca is a modern city with many fine hotels, some located in colonial buildings in the
historic center of the city.
Gourmet dining, art galleries, theater, and musical concerts are available in Oaxaca's
Historic District. Two museums in the city display artifacts, the Santo Domingo Cutural
Center and the Rufino Tamayo Museum of Prehispanic Art
sites with building stages that span 1200 BC to 1519 AD are open to the public and can be
reached by car, taxi, or public bus.
Other Sites
Of this group Monte Alban, Mitla, and San Jose El Mogote have museums and can be reached
easily by public transportation.
Lambyteco can be reached by public bus or taxi/collectivo while Yagul, Dainzu, and Huijazoo
can be harder to reach by public transportation because of remote access roads .
Tours to the ruins are available through agencies, or guides in Oaxaca City or the visitor can
self guide using the well marked trails and explanatory plaques done in the Zapotec language,
in Spanish, and in English.
Oaxaca is a modern city with many fine hotels, some located in colonial buildings in the
historic center of the city.
Gourmet dining, art galleries, theater, and musical concerts are available in Oaxaca's
Historic District. Two museums in the city display artifacts, the Santo Domingo Cutural
Center and the Rufino Tamayo Museum of Prehispanic Art