San Jose Mogote
Ruin Site,Oaxaca,
Mexico     
San Jose Mogote is one of the oldest centers of
stone buildings that archaeologists believe had
a municipal purpose. The first use of adobe
brick was found here and the first recorded
glyph, a date of 600 BC in the Zapotec language.
San Jose Mogote has a small museum with great artifacts, many showing Olmec artistic influences.  See
the caretaker in the town to gain entrance to the museum. Small fee
The site is not large. It has a partially excavated pyramidal platform and as yet excavated ball court with
several other mounds in the area.
San Jose El Mogote or San Jose
Mogote as it is also called is the
oldest stone city in Mexico. Built
in the valley now called Oaxaca,
San Jose el Mogote was first
settled in 1500 BC and
abandoned in 500 BC in favor of
the larger city nearby called  
Monte Alban. Few tourists visit
San Jose El Mogote instead
going to more spectacular Monte
Alban.
San Jose El Mogote's excavated and stabilized ruin is small. The museum will be a high point of your
visit because of the variety of artifacts.  San Jose el Mogote had artistic influences from both the north
and the south of ancient Mexico.
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