city state · Mesoamerica and the Caribbean

Monte Albán

500 BCE – 850 CE (approx.) · capital Monte Albán

The Zapotec capital on a levelled mountain above the Valley of Oaxaca, one of the earliest cities and states of Mesoamerica.

Origins

Around 500 BCE communities of the Valley of Oaxaca founded a new centre on a defensible hilltop where the valley's three arms meet. The move, probably by an alliance led from San José Mogote, created a capital that soon dominated the valley.

Rule and society

The Main Plaza was framed by temples, palaces and a ballcourt. The early Danzantes carvings show slain or sacrificed captives, and Building J lists conquered places, among the earliest evidence of Zapotec writing and expansion. Monte Albán controlled the valley and areas beyond, kept diplomatic ties with Teotihuacan, and buried its nobles in painted tombs.

Decline and legacy

Monte Albán's population and authority declined between about 700 and 850 CE, and power passed to smaller valley centres such as Zaachila, Lambityeco and Mitla. Mixtec nobles later reused its tombs, including the famous Tomb 7 treasure.

Lineage

Monte AlbánZaachila 1100 CE – 1521 CE

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Cite this page
APA
The Epoch Institute. (2026). Monte Albán. In The Epoch Institute States Register. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/monte-alban
MLA
“Monte Albán.” The Epoch Institute States Register, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/monte-alban. Accessed .
Chicago
The Epoch Institute. “Monte Albán.” The Epoch Institute States Register. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/monte-alban.
Harvard
The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Monte Albán’, The Epoch Institute States Register. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/monte-alban (Accessed: ).

Last reviewed October 2026Random state ↻