As we approach the beginning of summer and the half-way point of the year, I turn the page to June. My calendar, which features photos that I have taken of archaeological sites in Mexico, has a picture of Monte Albán for June.
Located on a mountaintop in the state of Oaxaca, Monte Albán was the capital of the Zapotec civilization for nearly 1000 years. (The Zapotec people still make up a significant portion of the population of Oaxaca, and their language is widely spoken today.) Between A.D. 200 and 500 it was at its height and was one of the largest cities of Mesoamerica. Its ceremonial center was created by leveling the mountaintop. The main plaza is surrounded by structures which were the platforms for temples, civic buildings and the homes of the elite. The extensive ruins and its dramatic location above the Valley of Oaxaca make it one of the most impressive archaeological sites in Mexico.
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