Monte Alban Ruin Site Oaxaca, Mexico
Monte Alban ruin site in Oaxaca saw its first archaeological excavation in the 1890s and then
the first modern scientific mapping and excavation in 1930 when Mexican Archaeologist Alfonso
Caso headed a 16 year excavation.
Monte Alban Archaeological Ruin site is still just 10% excavated. The huge site sprawls over
three peaks with thousands of house sites and terraced fields still visible on the hillsides below
the platform mound complexes which comprise the museum and site that is opened to the public.
the first modern scientific mapping and excavation in 1930 when Mexican Archaeologist Alfonso
Caso headed a 16 year excavation.
Monte Alban Archaeological Ruin site is still just 10% excavated. The huge site sprawls over
three peaks with thousands of house sites and terraced fields still visible on the hillsides below
the platform mound complexes which comprise the museum and site that is opened to the public.
In 1932 the Caso excavations uncovered Tomb 7 and the trove of Mixtec art and tomb offerings that
numbered some 500, much of it amber, obsidian, turquoise, and lost wax process gold. The Mixtec
people, a group that entered the region after the decline of the city, used the Zapotec tombs to bury their
royal dead, leaving the Tomb 7 offerings in the 14th century.
numbered some 500, much of it amber, obsidian, turquoise, and lost wax process gold. The Mixtec
people, a group that entered the region after the decline of the city, used the Zapotec tombs to bury their
royal dead, leaving the Tomb 7 offerings in the 14th century.
Monte Alban's Zapotec builders laid out the city with a north south orientation 1,300 feet above the River
Atoyac and the alluvial valley. Starting in 500 BC, they quarried stone from the hilltop and flattened the
peak to make a broad level plaza. By 300 AD the population had risen to 30,000 people by some
estimates. The city has stone platforms running the length of the quarter mile plaza, tombs primarily on the
eastern and northern slopes, and two of five ball courts excavated.
Atoyac and the alluvial valley. Starting in 500 BC, they quarried stone from the hilltop and flattened the
peak to make a broad level plaza. By 300 AD the population had risen to 30,000 people by some
estimates. The city has stone platforms running the length of the quarter mile plaza, tombs primarily on the
eastern and northern slopes, and two of five ball courts excavated.
Glyphs carved in 300 BC depict defeated leaders of neighboring villages in death some researchers
have speculated while others say the stones called the Danzantes( the Dancers) depict sick and injured
people. Many stelae have a glyph that some claim depict a mutilated penis, while others propose this as a
symbol of fertility..
have speculated while others say the stones called the Danzantes( the Dancers) depict sick and injured
people. Many stelae have a glyph that some claim depict a mutilated penis, while others propose this as a
symbol of fertility..
The Mixtec people , a group from the northern mountains entered the valley of Oaxaca and used the
abandoned city of Monte Alban as a burial ground. While showing respect for the bodies they found within
the old tombs, they would move skeletons and offerings aside to place their own royalty within the tombs
built lt by the Zapotec people, the original builders of Monte Alban.
Hotel Rivera del Angel ( four blocks south, four blocks west of the Zocalo) has a tour bus terminal
where trips to many Oaxacan sites are available including Monte Alban. Round trip bus $3.00 USD
approximately. ((38 Pesos) Stay as long as you like. the last bus leaves the ruin at 5:00 PM
Monte Alban site open 8:00 Am to 5:00 PM Allow three to four hours to visit the ruin
Oaxaca Mexico Bus Travel www.ticketbus.com.mx/
Oaxaca Tours www.go-oaxaca.com/overview/around.
Monte Alban Ruin Site in
Oaxaca, Mexico is still just 10%
excavated but the huge site, one
of the oldest stone building
complexes in Mexico, sprawls
over three Peaks.
Monte Alban Ruin has remnants
of thousands of house sites and
terraced fields visible on the
hillsides
Oaxaca, Mexico is still just 10%
excavated but the huge site, one
of the oldest stone building
complexes in Mexico, sprawls
over three Peaks.
Monte Alban Ruin has remnants
of thousands of house sites and
terraced fields visible on the
hillsides
In 750 AD the people left the
city leaving the hilltop complex
abandoned by 900 AD.
city leaving the hilltop complex
abandoned by 900 AD.
Monte Alban 500 BC-800 AD, Oaxaca Mexico
Other Oaxacan ruin site within 40 miles of Oaxaca City
17* 20' 96* 59'
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Monte Alban Ruin Site Oaxaca, Mexico saw its first archaeological
excavation in the 1890s. The first modern scientific mapping and
excavation of Monte Alban took place in 1930 when Mexican
Archaeologist Alfonso Caso headed a 16 year excavation.
excavation in the 1890s. The first modern scientific mapping and
excavation of Monte Alban took place in 1930 when Mexican
Archaeologist Alfonso Caso headed a 16 year excavation.
Monte Alban Ruin Site, 500 BC-800 AD, Oaxaca Mexico
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