Monte Albán is located atop the largest of a number of limestone-sandstone hills roughly 400 m. above the floor of the Valley of Oaxaca (1555 m.) to the northwest of the confluence ( latitude 17 o N., longitude 97 o E.) of the confluence of the Rio Atoyac and the Rio Salado. The capital of the state of Oaxaca, Oaxaca de Jáurez, is located immediately to the north of this confluence.

Monte Albán commands sweeping views of all three arms of the Valley of Oaxaca -- the Etla Valley to the north, the Tlacolula Valley to the east and the Zimatlán-Ocotlán Valley to the south as well as neighboring hills Atzompa and El Gallo to the north -- sites of settlement contemporaneous with Monte Albán. From many locations in the Valley, such as San José Mogote in the Etla Valley, Monte Albán presents an imposing presence.

The history of Monte Albán and its role in the development of social complexity in the Valley of Oaxaca is most naturally discussed in terms of the phases identified in the regional chronology for the Valley.

Monte Alban Phase 1 (650 BC to 200 BC)

Settlement at Monte Albán first appears at the beginning of the Monte Albán Phase 1 when it emerges as the regional capital of a state that politically integrates the entire Valley. The site is located on a hill cluster that rises prominently over the juncture of three valley arms. Although there is evidence of occupation at this strategic hilltop by 500 BC, it was during the period 500 - 200 BC that the site experienced rapid growth. It is known to have had stone buildings, permanent temples, priests, and an organized religion.

Monte Alban Phase 2 (200 BC to 100 AD)

During the second phase, the site begins to assume something of the appearance it presents today while the state it heads recovers from a “population boom” and engages in military and commercial ventures in neighboring areas. This period is characterized by an influx of a group of people from Chiapas or Guatemala who were smaller in numbers, but introduced changes as they merged with the resident population.

Building J was constructed during this period. The exterior of this unusually shaped building was decorated with more than 50 carved stones known as Conquest Slabs. These slabs appear to function as a list of places that either paid tribute to Monte Albán or that had been conquered by the site.

Monte Alban Phase 3A (100 AD to 400 AD)

Monte Albán becomes involved in some way with the large and politically influential city of Teotihuacán in the Valley of México to the north. Evidence of this connection are apparent in architecture at the site. Teotihuacan influence during this time period also can be seen in the presence of imported ceramics from the Valley of Mexico and local ceramics done in a Teotihuacan style. However, in contrast to the "Oaxaca Barrio" at Teotihuacan, there is no known equivalent ethnic enclave of Teotihuacanos at Monte Albán. Equally striking during Period III are the tomb murals, such as those from Tombs 104 and 105, which were located beneath small palace structures at the site.

The Estela Lisa, or Monument 9, from the South Platform depicts a procession of four individuals who proceed toward a figure who is wearing a typically Zapotec headdress. The four individuals, however, wear costumes, carry implements, and are identified by glyph-like tags that are distinctly Teotihuacano.

Monte Alban Phase 3B (400 AD To 700 AD)

The vast majority of the city was reconstructed. This is also the last period of major construction at Monte Albán when most of the structures now visible were completed.

By AD 700, Monte Albán was in decline, and a new type of stone monument made its appearance in the region. This was the genealogical register, which documented marriages between important men and women from various sites in the Valley of Oaxaca or traced the birth and life events of elite individuals.Unlike the earlier monumental Danzantes or Conquest Slabs, these genealogical registers were small and obviously meant to be read from close-up.

Monte Alban Phase 4 (800 AD To Spaniards)

The Valley of Oaxaca participates in a pan-Mesoamerican reorganization of social structures and the public areas of Monte Albán itself are abandoned. The hill-sides and base of the hill continue to be occupied and used for high-status burials. The latter part of this era reflects the influence of the Mixtec occupation.

The Main Plaza – between the North and South Platforms is a flat, open central area 1,000 x 666 ft. in size and aligned along a strict north/south axis.

1. South Platform - nearly square, can be climbed via a long series of steps on its east side. Remains of a temple and a shrine are found on its top.

3. The Danzantes - Building of the Dancers or Building L: One of the sites oldest structures. Here were placed nearly 400 large rectangular stone blocks carved with human figures known as "dancers". These reliefs are thought to illustrate those who lived and died in Monte Alban, including captives, warriors, the sick and deformed and the dead. The glyphs depict naked warriors, ejaculation, childbirth, dwarfism, captives, the sick, or the dead with contorted body positions (like dancers). Some figures display evidence of genital mutilation, heart extraction, or other forms of torture. Some of the figures also were accompanied by hieroglyphic texts that appear to provide dates, names, and places of origin. These pictures that are the oldest artifacts found here date back to the origins of the city itself. The distinct artistic style, and the features of the people with round mongoloid facial features and beards is pure Olmec. The meanings of these fertility symbols, people, positions, or history is subject to interpretation.

4. Building IV - Twin structure to Building "M". Internal square patio with altar in the center.

5. North Platform - the largest and most complex area, stretches 870 feet from north to south and 635 feet from east to west. It holds several major temple clusters. The North Platform rests upon a natural rise in the bedrock. A monumental staircase leads to other structures located on top of the North Platform. A tall monument rests at the foot of this staircase, with carvings on all four visible sides. To the East of the staircase is a small chamber with a carved lintel and another carving inside.

12. Stela – monolithic commemorative stela with the remains of calendar glyphs.

13. Sunken Patio

14. Building 1

15. The VG Complex - On the Patio of the Geodesic Vertex, Building VG is on the east side and was was used as a modern survey marker.

16. Jewelled Building – has only recently been discovered and only the top part has been excavated. It’s red coloring and orientation to the east are thought to allude to the rising sun. A vast quantity of mica and ceramic work were found here.

A . Building "A" – restored building

B. Building "B" – ruined building from the Mixtec era

G. Building "G", H. Building "H", and I. Building "I" - Stepped temples in the central area. The central Building H is the largest and obviously most important. It can be climbed via a stairway on the east side where we find a temple enclosure consisting of walls, column stumps and altars. There was originally a stair-way on the west face too but was covered over in one of the later Monte Albán phases. Buildings G and I are stepped temple pyramids of the normal kind but joined to Building H at the back. If we imagine, as may well have been the case, that these three structures were originally conceived as one, then this would have been the largest single building at the city - a huge temple with a staired access on each face - and while also playing central stage in terms of its position, this could have been the scene of the most important religious and ceremonial spectacles. Some believe that this complex was formed from a natural rock promontory in the centre of the plaza that had been too difficult to remove.  

P. Building "P" - A labyrinth of tunnels criss-cross beneath the central plaza. Some lead to the other side of a building, others lead to the other side of the site. Here, one such tunnel is visible in the foreground, and two visitors peer into a chamber within this structure. Inside the chamber is a small opening which allowed light to enter from a hole in the platform above. This tube of light may have been used to map the passage of the sun across the sky at different seasons.