Monte Albán - Eastern Group
There are five structures of the
Eastern Group (From North to South)
The Ball Court
Building II
Building P
The Palace
Building Q
Ball Court![](Monte%20Alban%20Ball%20Court.jpg)
The large, well preserved Ball Court
on the North East Corner of the Central Plaza is usually the
first building visitors explore in Monte Alban. The ball court
is the largest and in the best condition of the five located in
this archeological site. The number and location of this court
directly on the central Plaza signifies the importance of the
game to the Zapotec people and of this particular court.
There are many theories about the game
and much speculation. We do know that all early Mesoamerican
cultures played one form of the game or another from the Olmecs
to Toltecs, Mayans and Aztecs. Likely there was more than one
game. The earliest known reference was through ball player
figurines found in Michoacán and dated from 1700 BC. It is
believed the game originated in southern Mexico.
The game was serious and used to solve
political and social conflicts. To organize an event was a
status display of the wealth and social skills. Both the Maya
and Aztecs solved hereditary issues through the results of the
game.
Players wore protection much like
football players today. They had leather knee pads protection
for the chest and arms. They wore special pads on their hips
to ensure they could hit the heavy solid rubber balls. One of
the games was a sort of basketball where players only used their
hips, elbows and knees to propel the balls.
Human sacrifice was usually an
integral part of the game. Losing teams would often be
decapitated and in some ancient sites there is even a skull rack
permanently situated beside the ball court to display the heads
of the loosing team.
There was a tremendous social element
at the event. Besides the ever present gambling, there was a
general sense of celebration, feasting and community spirit.
Constructed around 100BC to 200 AD,
this Ball Court is unusual because it is subterranean and lies
below the ground. Observers would have had to view the game from
above.
Typical of most Ball Courts, this one
is shaped like the Capital
I. It measures 41 by 24 meters (135 by
79 feet) and is flanked on the longest sides by sloping walls.
While they appear to be steps they were not for the audience to
sit on. The ball when landing on the wall would roll down the
surface of the walls and back to the play field.
Unlike Mayan Ball courts, the Zapotec
courts did not have rings on the sides. This emphasizes the
theory that there was not one particular ball court game but
rather a number of different game played on the courts.
Building II
This is a small temple 25 by 30 meters
(82 by 98 feet) square and faces the west toward the Central
Plaza. It was constructed around 400AD using the same style as
typical in Teotihuacan with talud-tablero (or slope-panel)
facades with carvings. It has 2 sets of a 5 columned temple on
the top mirroring similar carved moundings in the Grande Plaza.
Building P
Also known as El Piramide this
structure was built in 400 AD. And faces the Main courtyard and
Building H. Archeologist believe these two pyramid/temples were
used together in rituals and events. The grand stairway is
adorned with a vertical shaft and the inner stairway has a
hidden tunnel leading up to the alter.
Building P is 25 by 35 meters (82 by
115 feet) on the sides and measures 11 meters (36 feet) in
height. - standing taller than the surrounding structures in the
east Group.
The Palace
Constructed around 350 and expanded in
800 AD, the Palaces walls are over a meter thick (3 feet) and
measure 22 by 25 meters (36 by 82 feet) at its base. Underneath
there is a tunnel making its way to the main plaza.
Archeologists believe that this
structure was a residence for an elite family. It is similar to
residences elsewhere in Monte Alban, typical Zapotec palace
architecture, although this palace is far more grand. The Palace
has a patio and small alter surrounded by four rooms and nine
other smaller rooms. Some of the rooms have benches presumably
used to sleep on. Likely the altar was used for private
ceremonies.
Building Q
Building Q is located between the
Palace and the steps to the Southern Platform. It is largely
unexcavated but it is believed to have had a columned temple on
the top. Constructed around 500 AD this building was again
remodeled in 750 AD.
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