Today, we visited Monte Albán, the largest (and in my opinion the most spectacular) of the Zapotec ruins found in Oaxaca. The ancient city was huge, containing some 40,000 people and sprawling across four hilltops. The main site measured some 300 meters by 200 meters (roughly 900 feet by 600 feet) and it was leveled completely by hand; the whole top of a mountain was removed and carted off -- and the Zapotecs had no beasts of burden, and no metal tools. I marvel at the vision someone had of what could be, and at the dedication needed to turn that vision into reality.
I've always loved the layered look of hills receding into the distance.
This is the view from the entrance to Monte Albán.
The steps up to the north platform, as seen from the main plaza. Once, this whole structure would have been covered with painted stucco.
The ever expanding city of Oaxaca laps at the base of Monte Albán's hills.
For me, birds are never far out of the picture; this aptly named Thick-billed Kingbird was calling and hunting just down the hill from the ruins.
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