Monte Albn
Monte Alban is an important archaeological site that had its heyday during the period Zapotec between 200 and 600 AD but was founded by people Olmec. It is located 10 km from the city of Oaxaca ( Oaxaca ) in Mexico , and has coordinates 17 02'38 "N 96 46'04" W / 17.04389, -96.76778 17 02'38 " N 96 46'04 "W / 17.04389, -96.76778
The use of Monte word, meaning "mountain" or "mountain" in Castilian , is explained by the fact that this city is built on an artificially leveled surface atop a mountain overlooking the 400 m level of the valley ( in fact to 1941 m of altitude ).
Summary |
Background Site
Monte Alban was the most important city of culture Zapotec. The main site is distributed atop three mountain called Monte Albn, El Gallo and Bonete (the latter is also called Atzompa). Archaeologists distinguish three periods in the evolution of the site.
Period I (500-200 BC)
The oldest human traces that have been registered in this area date back to 500 BC During this period of occupation is limited to certain parts of the mountain with favorable aspects (fertile land, sources, gathering areas and hunting ...).
The first houses were built of these peoples in perishable materials readily available (branches, straw, logs ...) but soon they began to use stone, especially for foundations of houses. Then appeared the first tombs made of stone and built the houses.
These changes allowed an increase in the population. Individuals had to meet to carry out the enormous work that represents the organization of the summit of the mountain and building constructions. There certainly have a social division of labor, some specializing in crafts. The performance of these public works needed a serious hierarchical organization of group work. Moreover, the need for materials, food and supplies has certainly enabled the establishment of a system of trade and production rather evolved.
At that time many were engraved stone known as the "Danza", depicting naked men, perhaps sacrificed prisoners dead, presumably to demonstrate the military power that had ostensibly the city of Monte Alban. Some experts believe that these stone carvings represent persons with disabilities ( autism , Down syndrome ...) because they were regarded as magical beings or shamans. Associated with these engravings are found glyphs and dates, which demonstrates the use of a calendar and writing by those peoples at that time and the desire to record some events.
The analysis of artifacts and carvings of this period can demonstrate a strong influence of culture Olmec. Besides the sheer scale of the work to shave off the top of the mountain evokes a society united by a desire to build, like the Olmec people.
Period II (100 BC - 200 AD)
During this period the development of Monte Albn is accelerating. New structures are built and old ones remodeled. The building is the most representative monuments J. Various engravings of "Danza" are reused and integrated into new buildings. The style of the ceramics of the time I will continue but some items are beginning to show marked traits, such as funerary urns. The tombs of Period II following the design of the earlier era, but it incorporates new elements such as niches.
Period III (200-600 AD)
The city reached its maximum population and urban development during this period. It is believed that there were nearly 40 000 inhabitants in an area of 20 sq. km. The main buildings were developed in isolated nuclei and their main function was the conduct of religious ceremonies, public or private. The mountain slopes were fitted to a substantial number of terraces where there are stone houses and common graves.
During this step, Monte Alban was the most important urban center of the valleys of Oaxaca and was the major focus of activity in the region, with radiation rather important. The heart of the city is represented by a huge area called Gran Plaza, plaza measuring 300 m long and 150 m wide and surrounded by various structures which were imposing buildings like those platforms north and south. In the middle there is a group of buildings aligned north-south.
The massive foundations were high temples, terraced platforms were built, residential palaces, tombs elegant stone, systems for control and water supply and structures for the ball game and perhaps buildings for astronomical observations.
But gradually the Zapotec civilization loses its power. At that point the city of Monte Albn was abandoned in the mid- seventh century AD for reasons that are still controversial (exhaustion of arable land, deforestation, excessive invasions ...).
Period Mixtec
To the twelfth century , by a curious reversal of history, the Mixtec seized the abandoned city of Monte Alban, where did some of their ancestors to revive and celebrate new cults. They will remain there until the arrival of the conquistadors in Spanish sixteenth century.
History Site
According to the Mexican archaeologist Alfonso Caso , during the sixteenth century the land could belong to a Spanish soldier named Montalbn family, and his name would be used to designate this site. Others think this name was given because of the similarity with the Monte Albano in Rome. Popular beliefs say that the origin of the name comes from casahuate (Ipomoea arborescens, Ipomoea arborescens), a tree present on the flanks of the mountain and who during the dry period, is covered with white flowers would follow the name of Monte Albar (white) derived in Monte Albn. The name Zapotec is Danipaguache, which means "sacred mountain", and Mixtec Yucucuy, "Green Mountain".
There is very little data and specifications for the site during the Spanish conquest and the three centuries before its rediscovery by archaeologists.
This rediscovery began in 1806 when Guillermo Dupaix made observations and excavations of the site. He discovered including some of the famous "Danza" in Building L. In 1857 and 1882 the French explorer and photographer Dsir Charnay visited Monte Alban and wrote a description. AF Bandelier visited also the new descriptions and published in 1881. In 1883 JB Carriedo Murgua, Galindo and H. Bancroft made reports and executed site plans. One visitor who contributed most to the reputation of Monte Albn was William Holmes , who in his work entitled Archaeological Studies Among Ancient Cities of Mexico, published a plan and a description of each structure of the Gran Plaza. Saville in 1899 , demonstrated the importance of Monte Albn and its relationship with the Zapotec.
The first archaeological dig officially supported by the Mexican government took place in 1902 under the leadership of Leopoldo Batres. New "Danza" were discovered and platforms north and south revealed.
Eighteen years of extensive excavations began in 1931 under the responsibility of the Mexican archaeologist Alfonso Caso , surrounded by Jorge Costa, Martn Bazn, Eulalia Guzman, Ignacio Bernal, Juan Valenzuela and Mara Lombardo. These works were very successful and used for the first time the techniques of excavation scientists. Hundred seventy-two graves were uncovered, and the Gran Plaza, Buildings A and B, and Patio Hundido. Despite all these efforts and the continuation of current excavations, we consider that most of the site has not yet been excavated.
The contributions of several experts discussed various topics such as the study of sequences of ceramics, construction, architectural style, the funerary context of the inscriptions , sculptures, etc.. It may be mentioned the work of Ignacio Marquina, John Paddock, Marcus Winter, Joyce Marcus, Gordon Whittaker, Garca Moll and Patterson, Javier Urcid Bernd Fahmel Paul Gendrop Horst Hartung and Mary Elizabeth Smith.
Monte Albn was inscribed on the list of UNESCO World Heritage December 11, 1987. On December 7, 1993, by presidential decree, the Mexican government declared the area of archaeological monuments protected by creating a park of 2,078 hectares.
Visit Site
Monte Albn has many step pyramids , temples, tombs of dignitaries and a golf ball game. You can also see stelae carved and large bas-reliefs in some buildings. The most remarkable buildings are the south platform and complex platform north.
The site is built on top of the mountain, around a square, Gran Plaza, measuring 300 meters by 200. It is surrounded by the ruins of step pyramids and mounds not yet restored. Three pyramids occupy the center of the site (Buildings I, G and H), accompanied by the mysterious monument J.
Platform north
It is the largest structure in Monte Albn, a huge rectangular building made of stone and earth. Its large size could be obtained with powerful retaining walls bunk that can reach several meters in height. At the top of the platform stood sets of buildings, as shown by the foundations that were crowned with temples and residential palaces. Spaces were dedicated to religion as the Patio Hundido (Court carved), ample courtyard elevation of the platform.
Behind the Patio Hundido can see the monuments I, E, D and the ornate monument (Edificio Enjoyado) and the monument Summit geodesic Site (Edificio de Vrtice Geodsico).
Near the northern platform can find graves 56, 103 and 104, the palace Ocote and mounds X and northeast.
The platform is connected to the Gran Plaza bordered by tiers monumental ramps.
Ball Court
The ball game was a sacred ritual still poorly known but whose outcome often took the form of human sacrifice. However, the site of Monte Alban, one has yet found no trace of such rituals. The monument "Great Ball Court, which is accessed via the north-east side of the Gran Plaza, is accompanied to the temple with idols (Adoratorio), P the monument, the palace and the mound Q. Its structure has an original architectural drawing I-shaped ramps with traditional side. The field is fully 40 meters long and 7 m by 22 at the ends called CABEZAL. A narrow staircase on the north side can reach the ground and in the corners of the walls there are niches. The walls were covered with frescoes. There is another monument to the ball game , the Little Ball Court, located near the grave 105.
 |  |
Block of Danzantes
This is one of the oldest buildings on the site. It belongs to the period I. Its structure is rectangular with walls constructed of a slope. It has bleachers that allow plants to reach the top of several speakers. The main interest of this building lies in the carved stone called "Danza" (literally "dancing procession") that can be observed on the side and rear of the building. The prints depict nude figures in positions of contortion. The assumption that it was the dancers is now rejected by archaeologists, but no other proposal has been universally accepted science. They could be killed or tortured prisoners, or people with physical disabilities.
Stele
Some stones have glyphs and dates. Data epigraphic imprecise but we note the similarities with the books and calendars Olmec and Mayan.
The building J
This is the finest example of construction of the time II. The implementation breaks the established order by the arrangement of other buildings of the Gran Plaza. It has a pentagonal-shaped arrowheads, each of which forms an angle of 45 degrees with the other buildings.
This building has attracted many assumptions because of its shape and its unusual orientation. Alfonso Caso expressed the idea that it could serve as an astronomical observatory. Subsequently many researchers identified various astronomical alignments but other possibilities are considered by archaeologists. Thus, some of them think it is a memorial, because the walls are decorated with carved stones representing the peoples conquered by the city of Monte Alban.
Tomb 104
The house and tomb were built in the period from 500 to 700 AD It is one of the most elegant residences in the city. The rooms are grouped around a courtyard and the tomb is located in the courtyard on the west side. Its facade is decorated with a double shoulder panel similar to those that can be observed on the monuments of the Gran Plaza. Middle and above the entrance is a funerary urn terracotta representing the corn god , Pitao Cozobi. The interior of the tomb is decorated with murals polychrome , and the walls are richly decorated characters represented, perhaps priests, with bags of copal in his hands.
Tomb 7
This tomb, built around the year AD 1, belongs to the occupation period Zapotec. The building has a rectangular plan with a main chamber preceded by a vestibule, it has walls of stone with a sloping ceiling tiles. After the abandonment of the house the tomb was reopened (between 1300 and 1500 AD) by the Mixtec to bury important new characters, while leaving the bones and burial objects of lords Zapotec occupying the grave. In 1932 the Mexican archaeologist Alfonso Caso discovered the tomb No. 7, one of the few not to have been looted. It contained a unique treasure of more than 400 artifacts mortuary gold, silver, turquoise , alabaster , coral, ivory , pearl, pearl, obsidian and amber.
Useful information on the site
It is very easy to get on the site which is located only 10 km from the city of Oaxaca. Signage is correct and the asphalt road is in good condition. The site is also served by a shuttle from downtown Oaxaca. The site is open 365 days a year, from 8 pm to 17 pm The entrance ticket costs 51 pesos. Admission is free for children under 13, and Sunday and holidays. Two hours minimum are required to visit this site. Guides offer their services in many foreign languages.
On the site you can also visit a small museum featuring artifacts and has a temporary exhibition hall.
See also
Bibliography
- MARKUS (Joyce) and Flannery (Kent V.), Zapotec Civilization, Thames & Hudson, London, 1996.
- WCC (Michael D.) and Koontz (Rex), Mexico From The Olmecs To The Aztecs, Thames & Hudson, London, 2002.
- BLANTON (Richard E.), Feinman (Gary M.), KOWALEWSKI (Stephen A.) and NICHOLAS (Linda M.), Ancient Oaxaca, Cambridge University Press, London, 1999, ( ISBN 0-521-57787-X ).
- COE (Michael), DEAN (Snow) and Benson (Elizabeth), Atlas of Ancient America, Facts on File, New York, 1986, ( ISBN 0816011990 ).
- PARTIKIAN (Marie-Paule), a museum expert archaeologists among the ruins of Monte Alban in Mexico, University of Montreal, 2003.
Internal Links
External Links
- The DeLange visit Monte Alban (photos) (English)
- Nomination dossier for World Heritage - UNESCO
- Aerial photo of site (English)
- Commercial site but good pictures and plan (English)
- Monte Alban - Destination sacred (English)
- Monte Alban and the Valley of Oaxaca
- Zapotec site of Monte Alban on Baudelet.net (photos)
- Zapotec culture and Monte Albn
Loading ...