Monte Alban is an incredible archaeological site in Oaxaca. The ruins of an ancient city, it features shrines, tombs, a palace, a ballgame court, an area for a market, and more. From the tops of these structures, one can see the city of Oaxaca and beyond.
Many times in Oaxaca, artisans emphasize that their extraordinary products are handmade. So too are these ruins. And, the stone carving, especially of Los Danzantes, is impressive. The Danzantes (Dancers) are believed to represent captives from other villages who were sacrificed. Their images (often of their castration) are preserved in the stone.
While we were there, we say a new dig (at the observatory) and some restoration. See the photos where the stones are numbered to help with replacing them as they are re-grouted.
At the top of one of the platforms, we found a white dog. He followed us around the rim (as if he were offering a tour). As we went to descend the staircase, he returned to the place where we first encountered him, in the shade under a tree with white blossoms.
Monte Alban’s museum showcases some of the artifacts found on the premises, including bones, skulls, pottery, and the names and representations of people carved into stone. A gallery off to the side also currently features photos of the birds of Oaxaca. Colibris (hummingbirds) were easy to spot throughout our tour.
It is immediately clear once one enters these grounds that these monuments mark a sacred space.
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