The civilization

The Zapotec civilization (Be'ena'a (Zapotec) "The People that came from the clouds"; c. 700 BC – AD 1521) is an indigenous pre-Columbian civilization that flourished in the Valley of Oaxaca in Mesoamerica. Archaeological evidence shows that their culture originated at least 2,500 years ago. The Zapotec archaeological site at the ancient city of Monte Albán has monumental buildings, ball courts, tombs and grave goods, including finely worked gold jewelry. Monte Albán was one of the first major cities in Mesoamerica.

Field notes

period

500 BCE — 900 CE

region

Mesoamerica

known sites

2