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One of the main features of Oaxaca is the archeological
sites in the immediate area. One of the finest is Monte Alban which sits
on a hilltop 400 meters above the valley floor near the city of Oaxaca,
Mexico. The site is at the confluence of three large valleys, the Tlacolula
Valley to the east, the Etla Valley to the north, and the Zimatlán-Ocotlán
Valley to the south, all fertile agricultural regions.
Monte Albán began to emerge as a regional center sometime around
500 B.C. It's function seems to have been to unite the people of the three
valley regions. The early architecture shows Olmec influence. According
to our guide, the Zapotec later took control and rebuilt the center in their
own style by building over (encasing) the original structures.
The steep steps typical of pre-Columbian sites are not made for ease of climbing. The different levels are symbolic of the levels of deity and authority and were scaled by the priests or rulers.
Photos - L-R - Greeting visitors with a splash of color is a small Bougainvillea shrub in full bloom and partially blocks a Stenocerus Cactus tree at the western edge of the parking lot.
The main parking lot which is always filled with visitors for all over the state on any given day.
The long entrance ramp leading from the parking lot who's stone work is almost as impressive as some of the restoration jobs that have been done on the buildings here at Monte Alban.
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Photos - This colorful part of the entrance always has a congestion of tourists who stop to gaze at the souvenirs put out by the locals. I think that one of the most popular tables is the one that has the wide assortment of straw and grass hats to help block out the sunshine. The sunshine is merciless, always remember a hat and sunblock.
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Photos - L-R - The southwestern corner of the main parking lot from the entrance steps looking south.
Inside Monte Alban looking southwest from the northern platform toward Building H.
A broken grinding stone.
Click here for more photos of Monte Alban for this day.
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