History of Meso-American Architecture : Monte Alban No.1

: Monte Alban, Oaxaca, Mexico; from Formative to Classic; B.C.500-A.D.950

Monte Alban is the placement of its ceremonical center, on a mountain crest commanding three valleys from an average altitude of 400m.
Mayan people still exists who speaks Zapotec.
The architecture of the Monte Alban was under the influence of Teotihuacan and Mayan architecture in Early Clasic Period.
The influence of the Teotihuacan is found in the Talud-Tablero Style, the influence of the Mayan architecture is the existence of the ball court.

Monte AlbanI
- B.C.500-200(Formative)
- in the influence of Olmec Culture
Monte AlbanII
- B.C.200-A.D.200(Proto Classic)
- in the influence of Teotihuacan and Mayan Culture
Monte AlbanIIIA
- A.D.200-600(Early Classic)
- A ceremonial center was completed on the mountain.
Monte AlbanIIIB
- A.D.600-900(Late Classic)
- Most of the building was built in this period.
Monte AlbanIV (Mitla)
- A.D.900-1200(Early Post-Classic)
- Zapotec people moved to Mitla.
Monte AlbanV (Mitla)
- A.D.1200-1500(Late Post-Clasic)
- Aztec Period in Oaxaca.
(note: Mitla is a ceremonial center located on the southwest of the Oaxaca City.

Panoramic view of the Great Plaza from North Mound. B.C.500-A.D.950

The foreground is the North Mound where the palace and politikal buildings were built. The Ball Court is left.

Great Plaza seen from the South Mound.

The area of the Great Plaza is 320m from north to south, 140m from east to west.
West side of the Great Plaza are Complex IV, the Building of the Danzantes, Complex M from north to south.
The polygonal building in foreground is Mound J (B.C.200-A.D.200) commonly called Observatory. Behind Mound J is Complex G,H,I.

Photo: Kohichi Hotta

[No.1]Panoramic view : [No.2]Complex H : [No.3]Complex M
[No.4]Complex IV : [No.5]Ball Court : [No.6]North Mound, Stele