Monte Albán Ceremonial Platforms
Monte Albán Pyramids · Dani Baa · Cerro del Tigre
Zapotec (Monte Albán I–V 500 BCE–850 CE)·Zapotec → Mixtec influence late·🇲🇽 Oaxaca, Valley of Oaxaca, Mexico
About
About Monte Albán Ceremonial Platforms
Zapotec capital on flattened ridge 2 km mountain leveled 500 BCE: Grand Plaza 300 × 200 m with North Platform (pyramid 7 m + temple) and South Platform 15 m pyramid; Building J arrow-shaped 6 m observatory (zenith), System IV pyramid and Los Danzantes gallery (300 carved captive stones). 500 BCE–850 CE, population 17k, showcasing Monte Albán's mountain carving as artificial pyramid landscape.
Why it mattersImportant for Mesoamerican urban planning on artificial mountain.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Magnetic stone Danzantes relocation from San José Mogote
Theories
- 01Leveled mountaintop as giant palco demonstrating Zapotec labor mobilization comparable to pyramid volume
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- 500 BCE levelling, pyramids 300 BCE – 700 CE successive rebuilds
- Period
- Zapotec (Monte Albán I–V 500 BCE–850 CE)
- Culture
- Zapotec → Mixtec influence late
- Purpose
- Capital city on artificial hill-terrace pyramid complex
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
500 BCE levelling, pyramids 300 BCE – 700 CE successive rebuilds
Initial construction
c. 1040 CE
Major expansion
On the ground
Structures & features
17.0439° N · 96.7678° W · 1940 m · 3 mapped features
Main Plaza North Platform pyramid-temple
pyramid7 m north acropolis pyramid with temple
17.0450° N · 96.7675° WBuilding J (arrow observatory) 6m
observatoryPentagonal astronomical building pointing 45° off axis
17.0435° N · 96.7670° WSystem IV / South Platform pyramid 15m
pyramid15 m southern pyramid stair
17.0430° N · 96.7680° W
Gallery