Monte Alban

Monte Alban is a major archeological site of the Zapotec Indians.  The Zapotec Indian culture was at its height between 1400 BC to 1400 AD.  They built and inhabited Monte Alban between roughly 500 BC and 800 AD. 

According to our fantastic guide, Juan Montes-Lara, they were the first major civilization to depart from a nomadic way of life and to build cities and towns in the region.  While a theocratic society, we learned that for these peoples, the governors could be both men and women.  It was about a 75/25 split between male and female governors.  (The picture below shows the handover of power between a female governor to a male governor.)

The Zapotecs were also the first civilization in the Americas that developed their own alphabet, around the same time as the Egyptians developed their alphabet.

The Zapotecs also developed extensive medical knowledge.  They did successful brain surgery using stone tools.

 

The formation of Monte Alban as a series of pyramids and other structures, mimics the mountain ranges around it.  It contains features that are designed as a lunar and solar observatory and calendar.  At its height, Monte Alban was a city of approximately 40,000 inhabitants, which ruled over the surrounding valleys and had extensive trade with other civilizations, including the Aztecs.

We were able to walk all over the portion of Monte Alban which has been excavated and restored to the public.  There are other sections of Monte Alban which are still under excavation or pending excavation in the future.