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Pre-Columbian archaeological site in Mexico
Photo: User: (WT-shared) Anyludes at wts wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Monte Albán is a Zapotec and Mixtec archaeological site in the state of Oaxaca in Mexico, on a hilltop overlooking Oaxaca city. This ancient city was the socio-political and economic center of the Zapotecs for nearly 1,000 years, a contemporary of Teotihuacán in central Mexico. Its central plaza is lined with the platforms of great temples adorned with strange carvings, and tombs underlie the dense neighborhoods where thousands of people once lived. Monte Albán is a .
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Plataforma Norte
Large, high platform with several structures (possibly temples) at the top. If you're in a hurry, you could go straight to the north platform and back in 15 minutes for a great view of the site.
Juego de Pelota Grande
The Zapotec used a very different layout from the Mayan ball courts at sites like Coba or Chichen Itza.
Plaza de los Danzantes
Replicas of a group of carved stones found near Building L, noted for fascinating Olmec carvings of naked men in various contorted positions. The original archaeologists described them as "dancers", but a more recent interpretation is that these are mutilated victims about to be sacrificed.
Monticulo J / Edificio J
The unusual alignment and architecture indicate that this was an astronomical observatory.
Plataforma Sur
A very large pyramid with an open plaza area at the top. This is one of the best viewpoints of the ancient city.
Tumba 7
Mexican archaeologists uncovered this treasure-filled tomb in the early 1930s. The tomb is closed off; its treasures are at the Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca in the city.
The artwork on the back side of the M$20 banknote depicts the view from atop this small unexcavated ruin.
Monte Albán Site Museum
This small museum has some excellent interpretive displays plus a number of relics excavated from the site in the early 20th century. The highlights are its collection of stelae and the original Danzantes carvings. All the signs are only in Spanish. There are also restrooms, a small bookstore and a cafe.
By taxi
The most flexible, but most expensive way to visit the site. They will cost about M$200-300 round-trip from most downtown Oaxaca hotels (prices may be out of date).
By shuttle bus
On foot
There is a 2 km walking trail from the west edge of Oaxaca up to the lower parking lot. Monte Alban is 300 m above the city, so it'll be much easier walking back.
The ticket counter and entrance gate are in the plaza outside the museum, uphill from the two parking lots. There are a few minor structures near the parking lots, outside of the controlled area.
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