Monte Albán
AA-2026-7AA48C
On the image
A tourist, dressed in distinctive 1970s fashion, stands near a massive stone edifice, perhaps contemplating the ancient world or simply trying to remember if she turned off the stove. The site, built by civilisations long vanished, now mostly serves as an open-air museum where people can walk around rocks.
In the foreground, a large carved stone, known as a Danzante, presents a figure whose original meaning is still debated by experts. Its purpose, likely terrifying or sacred to its creators, has been replaced by its utility as a focal point for modern interpretive plaques and vacation snapshots.
She wears sunglasses and carries a yellow jacket, prepared for any minor inconvenience the ancient world might throw at her. The past, in its enduring silence, makes no demands other than our fleeting attention before we move on to the next exhibit.
The historian's note
Monte Albán is a significant pre-Columbian archaeological site located in the Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán municipality, approximately 9 km west of Oaxaca City, Oaxaca State, Mexico. It served as the capital of the Zapotec civilisation for nearly 1,000 years, from approximately 500 BCE to 800 CE, and was one of the earliest cities in Mesoamerica.
The prominent stone carving in the foreground is one of the 'Danzantes' of Monte Albán. These are distinctive relief carvings on stone slabs, primarily dating to the Monte Albán I phase (c. 500–200 BCE). They depict human figures in contorted, often naked, positions, and are interpreted by scholars as sacrificial victims, captive warriors, or ritual dancers. They are amongst the earliest known examples of Zapotec writing and calendrical notation.
The site was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. This photograph captures a visitor exploring the ruins during the 1970s, a period that saw increasing international tourism and scholarly interest in pre-Columbian Mesoamerican archaeological sites.
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Monte Albán Danzante Carving, Oaxaca, 1970s. 1970–1979. Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library, AA-2026-7AA48C. https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/monte-alb-n-danzante-carving-oaxaca-1970s.
@misc{aaAA20267AA48C,
title = {Monte Albán Danzante Carving, Oaxaca, 1970s},
year = {1970–1979},
howpublished = {Archive \& Atlas, Historical Image Library},
note = {Accession AA-2026-7AA48C},
url = {https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/monte-alb-n-danzante-carving-oaxaca-1970s}
}TY - ART TI - Monte Albán Danzante Carving, Oaxaca, 1970s PY - 1970–1979 PB - Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library AN - AA-2026-7AA48C UR - https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/monte-alb-n-danzante-carving-oaxaca-1970s ER -
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