Ball Court Monte Alban
Ball court monte alban The present day state capital oaxaca city is located approximately 9 km 6 mi east of monte albán.
Ball court monte alban. The ball game was popular across mesoamerica and the objective was to put a rubber ball through a hoop placed high on each wall. The site was the capital of the zapotec civilization from c. Monte alban was the first true meso american state with a government run by the priestly class. The site is located on high ground probably chosen for its defensibility.
In monte albán 5 ball courts were constructed which confirms the importance of this activity at a regional level. Court marker from the mayan site of lubaantun showing two players volleying. Part of the sacred precinct of monte alban in the oaxaca valley of mexico. It contains great plazas truncated pyramids a court for playing the ball game tlachtli underground passageways and about 170 tombs the most elaborate yet uncovered in the americas.
The site is located on a low mountainous range rising above the plain in the central section of the valley of oaxaca where the latter s northern etla eastern tlacolula and southern zimatlán and ocotlán or valle grande branches meet. The classic period ball court of monte alban 150 650 ce. This one was constructed at approximately 100 b c. 500 bce to c.
Note the rounded bottom that anchors the marker into the court. The initial construction at the site has been placed at circa 8th century bce. Its economy was based on tributes taxes paid by the outlying communities in the valley of oaxaca. Bm45rd rm monte alban funery urn with seated figure 4th 5th century mexico mexican ceramic.
The ruins of monte alban are visible from anywhere in the central part of the valley of oaxaca and have always attracted large numbers of visitors explorers and researchers. Ball court monte alban oaxaca ancient cities mexico apr 5 2018 the classic period ball court of monte alban 150 650 ce. Ball court built in 100 bc. The ball game was popular across mesoamerica and the objective was to put a rubber ball through a hoop placed high on each wall.