ANTH 336 New World Prehistory
Dr. Darlene Applegate
Fall 2006
Mesoamerica Culture
Area
Monte Alban Site
TIME PERIOD
Pre-Classic (Formative) to Classic to Post-Classic Periods
1200 BC to AD 900
CIVILIZATIONS
the site was occupied by Zapotec and Mixtec civilizations
LOCATION
Valley of Oaxaca in southern Mexican highlands
at cross roads of Valley of Mexico and Lowland Maya areas
Valley of Oaxaca is a Y-shaped valley with a flat bottom
Monte Alban site is situated on a flat hilltop or mesa overlooking the
valley
Map of the Valley of Oaxaca, Including Locations of Important
Sites.
http://www.plu.edu/~warnocjm/
ORIGINS
probably indigenous development from previous occupants of valley
some early Olmec influence
SUBSISTENCE
canal and pot irrigation of agricultural fields based on maize, beans,
squash
DIAGNOSTIC ARTIFACTS
danzantes
150 figures of humans carved into stone
slabs
may represent
autosacrifice or sacrificed war captives
named for "dancers" but probably not intended to depict dancing
One of the Danzantes from Monte Alban.
Note Glyphs Inscribed In and Around the Human.
http://www.oaxacaoaxaca.com/monte-alban.htm
SETTLEMENT STRATEGY
settlement pattern included hilltop habitation sites and floodplain
habitation sites
settlement system included principal ceremonial centers surrounded and
supported by small farming villages
SITES
Monte Alban
- 600 BC-AD 900
- constructed on hilltop rising 1320 feet above the valley floor
- ceremonial center on top of hill, surrounded by stone wall
- structures in the ceremonial center include pyramid temples,
platforms, plazas, stelae
- structures in the ceremonial center were aligned to the cardinal
directions
- the site covers an area of about 45 acres
- the Great Plaza covers about eight 8 acres
- <>the sides
of hill were terraced to provide space for housing
<>
<>
<>Map of Structures in the Monte Alban
Ceremonial Center.
1. South Platform, 2. Building "M", 3. The Danzantes, 4. Building IV, 5. North Platform,
6. Ball Court, 7. Building II, 8. The Palace< style="font-family: times;">,
9 . Building "J", 10. Tomb 107, 11. Tomb 104,
12. Stela, 13. Sunken Patio, 14. Building 1, 15. The VG Complex, 16. Jewelled Building,
A . Building "A", B. Building "B", G. Building "G", H. Building "H", I. Building "I",
P. Building "P", Q. Building "Q", X. Building "X". <>
<>
<>
<>http://www.advantagemexico.com/oaxaca/monte_alban.html
<>
Aerial Photo of Ceremonial Center at Monte Alban.
http://www.plu.edu/~warnocjm/
<>
<>
other Zapotec and Mixtec sites include San Jose Mogote, Mitla, Yagul,
Cuicatlan, and Hierve el Aqua
POLITICAL ORGANIZATION
may have been militaristic (empire)
probably a theocracy
DECLINE
occupants of Post-Classic Period sites conquered by Spanish
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Last updated on November 8, 2006
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