Monte Albán
Monday, March 6, 2006
Monte Alban was built by the Zapotecs, with construction starting about 500 BC. The monuments were abandoned 13 centuries later, about 750 AD. This photo shows how large the site is—a pick up truck is visible on the right at the back of the open area, about 1,000 feet away.
Two other views of Monte Alban, above and below. All of these buildings sit on platforms built without wheels and metal tools by the Zapotecs. Hauling water up to this hot and dry plateau must have been difficult, as the river is 1,300 feet down the mountain.
Here is an unexcavated site at Monte Alban. More than 90% of Monte Alban has yet to be excavated.
The map above shows the places we visited around Oaxaca.
Monte Alban is a World Heritage site, and was built without wheels or metal tools by the Zapotecs beginning in 500 BC. Many of the artifacts found in a tomb here are in the museum at Santo Domingo in Oaxaca.
Next—off to Mérida and the Yucatán.
