OAXACA MONTE ALBAN
- Main Plaza
- Ball Court
- North Platform
We had just visited Oaxaca state few weeks back and we visited some interesting pyramid sites which I will write about now. Oaxaca is a bautiful state full of lush green big mountains, rivers,sea beaches, indigeneous people and their culture , beautiful pyramids and alongside with the invasion of modernisation. Oaxaca has numerous indigeneous people ,the most significant are the Zapotecs and the Mixtecs. But apart from them there are 16 other official old cultures. It is bordered by the states of Guerrero to the west, Puebla to the northwest, Veracruz to the north, Chiapas to the east. To the south, Oaxaca has a significant coastline on the Pacific Ocean. Monte Alban is one of the important pre Columbian pyramid site near Oaxaca city right on top of the mountain. This pyramid site was for the Zapotec.The zapotecs gain dominance over the Central valley region which is the Monte Alban site spanning the timespan of 6B.C to 8A.D .Later in 1300A.D the region was overtaken by Mixtecas who left great gold treasures for their royalty in Tomb 7 and in 15A.D by the Aztecs. The pyramid site consist of the main plaza which is formed by flatenning the mountain and in its vicinity are other residencial and ceremonial sites.The site has got influenced from other cultures like Maya, Aztec,Olmec. Most of the artifacts excavated from the site are displayed in the museum of Santo Domingo church.
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OAXACA MITLA
Mitla is another pyramid site near the Oaxaca city .It dates to 450 to 700 A.D. It was made by the people from Mixtec culture. The pyramids walls are decorated with geometric designs made of polished stones. It has many subterranean chambers and tombs . The site has 5 main structures, outside the pyramid area are many handicrafts markets and the place is famous for its Mezcal a kind of local drink brewing factories and shops.
Near Oaxaca there are many pyramids like Dainzu, Etla, Yaguk, Zachila which were excavated . However we will be visiting them in our next trip to Oaxaca....
