Zapotec civilization of Monte Albán (c. 500 BCE–900 CE)

1. Founding of Monte Albán on a defensible ridge

   Jan 1, 500 BCELabels: Monte Alb, Valley of

   • INAH
   • Britannica

2. Early monumental art and ‘Danzantes’ tradition emerges

   Jan 1, 300 BCELabels: Danzantes, Stone reliefs

   • INAH
   • Britannica

3. Monte Albán becomes a dominant Zapotec capital

   Jan 1, 100 BCELabels: Monte Alb, Zapotec polity

   • Britannica
   • UNESCO

4. Consolidation into an expansionist regional state

   Jan 1, 100Labels: Zapotec state, Regional expansion

   • Britannica
   • UNESCO

5. Classic-period transformation of the ceremonial core

   Jan 1, 300Labels: Main Plaza, Ceremonial core

   • Britannica
   • UNESCO

6. Teotihuacan influence visible in architecture and style

   Jan 1, 400Labels: Teotihuacan, Material culture

   • Britannica
   • UNESCO

7. Monte Albán reaches its Classic zenith

   Jan 1, 500Labels: Monte Alb, Classic zenith

   • Britannica
   • INAH

8. Political preeminence wanes in late Classic centuries

   Jan 1, 700Labels: Political fragmentation, Oaxaca region

   • Britannica
   • INAH

9. Monte Albán largely abandoned by end of occupation

   Jan 1, 900Labels: Site abandonment, Monte Alb

   • INAH
   • Britannica

10. Mixtec reuse of Zapotec tombs in Postclassic period

    Jan 1, 1200Labels: Mixtec elites, Zapotec tombs

    • Britannica
    • UNESCO

11. Discovery of Tomb 7’s rich Mixtec offerings

    Jan 9, 1932Labels: Tomb 7, Alfonso Caso

    • Nature
    • Tumba 7

12. UNESCO World Heritage inscription for Monte Albán

    Jan 1, 1987Labels: UNESCO inscription, Monte Alb

    • UNESCO List
    • UNESCO Decision