Monte Albán South Platform Pyramid P
Monte Albán South Platform Pyramid P North Annex · Monte Site
Old Kingdom (2686–2181 BCE) or regional equivalent·Old Kingdom·🇲🇽 Oaxaca, Monte Albán, Mexico
About
About Monte Albán South Platform Pyramid P
Monte Albán South Platform Pyramid P in Oaxaca, Monte Albán, Mexico is a Old Kingdom (2686–2181 BCE) or regional equivalent pyramid attributed to Old Kingdom. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal base 95 × 95 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 17.0430N -96.7670E controls access to Oaxaca resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey pyramid for Oaxaca, Monte Albán, illustrating Old Kingdom construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Construction logistics and labour organisation
- 02Astronomical orientation method
Theories
- 01Royal tomb with cult temple axis
- 02Experimental step before true pyramid
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 2600–2500 BCE
- Period
- Old Kingdom (2686–2181 BCE) or regional equivalent
- Culture
- Old Kingdom
- Purpose
- Royal tomb and ceremonial platform embodying cosmology
- Rediscovered
- 1964 survey
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c. 2600–2500 BCE
Initial construction of Monte Albán South Platform Pyramid P main structure
c. 1944
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
2004–2019
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Monte Albán South Platform Pyramid P) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
17.0430° N · 96.7670° W · 388 m · 4 mapped features
- Monte Albán South Platform Pyramid P — Main StructurestructurePrincipal pyramid — Base 95 × 95 m with diagnostic masonry/panel17.0438° N · 96.7661° W
- Monte Albán South Platform Pyramid P — Ancillary ComplexcomplexAncillary settlement debris and ceramics surrounding main feature17.0420° N · 96.7677° W
- Monte Albán South Platform Pyramid P — Peripheral FeatureoutlierPeripheral feature with outlier deposit and burial17.0445° N · 96.7658° W
- Monte Albán South Platform Pyramid P — Hydraulic/CisternhydraulicHydraulic feature — cistern/reservoir or rock-cut channel associated with site17.0414° N · 96.7681° W
Gallery