Description of the attraction
Monte Alban was once a large pre-Columbian settlement where the Zapotecs lived. Its ruins are located in southeastern Mexico in the state of Oaxaca, whose capital of the same name is only 9 kilometers away. The name of the city literally translates as "white mountain".
The ceremonial center of the ancient city is located on the top of a hill that rises two thousand meters above sea level. Several hundred terraces and dozens of bulk structures were created here by the Zapotecs. These ruins are truly impressive as they can be seen from anywhere in the Oaxaca Valley.
This city is considered the first and main in all of Mesoamerica. For nearly a thousand years, it was the political and economic center of the Zapotec civilization. The city was inhabited by about 20 thousand people. Scientists date the beginning of its history to about 500 BC. Its decline came at the end of the Classic period, around 500-750 AD. After that it was practically abandoned. Local residents were engaged in the processing of rock crystal, the manufacture of gold jewelry.
The first expedition to discover the city was the group of Alfonso Caso, who came here in 1932. Excavations have begun. Part of what was found was left here, placed in a small museum. The rest of the artifacts were taken to Mexico City. Among the numerous drawings, images of people similar in appearance to the Toltecs were found here, historians explain this by the fact that the city was once captured by them.
The archaeological complex of Monte Alban is included in the UNESCO cultural heritage list.
