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Pictures from the ruins of Monte Alban, on a flat hilltop above the city of Oaxaca, Mexico (pronounced "wa-ha-ca"). This was a city built by the Zapotecs, with rituals and architecture similar to the Maya and Aztecs. High priests practiced advanced astonomy, and ruled the farming community by predicting seasons and the best time for planting and harvesting. It was inhabited between 500 BCE and 900 CE and the name means "white mountain." Not as impressive as Tikal in Guatelama or Copan in Honduras, it's still worth visiting, especially considering the good food, crafts, and markets of Oaxaca nearby; whereas Tikal and Copan are relatively remote with few other sights nearby.
Click pictures for a larger version, then pictures will automatically advance every 9 seconds.
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| Monte Alban map |
Ball court from 100 BCE, the sloped sides were covered with plaster so the ball would roll back into play |
Ball court in foreground and North Platform in background |
Ball court with Building A in the background |
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| Monte Alban ball court aligned perfectly North |
Building G in the center of the Gran Plaza |
North Platform Portico |
Building II hidden hallway allowed priests to move secretly between temples |
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| El Palacio, living quarters of the rulers |
Building H in the center of the Gran Plaza |
Stairs of the South Platform |
Stellae on the East side of the South Platform |
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| Montel Alban stellae close up |
Building L, the "dancers" building |
Thousands of these large insects create a constant buzzing sound at Monte Alban |
System IV, Building K ceremonial complex of Monte Alban |
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| Looking directly North at the Gran Plaza from the top of the South Platform |
Observatory Building J in foreground and System IV on the back left |
Hierglyphics near Building L |
Stellae of a dancer |
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| Monte Alban pyramid against blue sky |
Sunken patio with altar at center, on top of the North Platform |
Looking at Arrazola from Monte Alban |
Building E stellae representing members of the ruling class, 4 of the 5 being women |
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| Ball court with the city of Oaxaca below |
Looking South, along the East side of the Gran Plaza of Monte Alban |
Gran Plaza overview, looking Southwest |
Masonry details of Monte Alban |
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Cactus and flowers at Monte Alban |
