Site Museum of the Monte Albán Archaeological Zone

The museum comprises the following rooms: Introducción (Introduction): The history of Monte Albán's discovery and exploration is told through the accounts of numerous travelers and explorers who visited the site since the 19th century, including Guillermo Dupaix, J.B. Carriedo, Johann von Müller, Désiré Charnay and A.F. Bandelier, among others. It also explains the development of Leopoldo Batres's excavations in the early 20th century and those of Alfonso Caso from 1931, as well as the special archaeology projects conducted between 1992 and 1994. Arquitectura (Architecture): This room discusses aspects related to the founding of the city on a mountainous massif, the origin of its builders, and the vicissitudes faced in this grand undertaking. It also covers the main features of domestic and public constructions and shows examples of the tools used in their design and construction. Cerámica (Ceramics): Exhibits examples of the different styles, forms, raw materials, decorations, and uses of utilitarian and ritual objects produced by the Zapotecs; organized chronologically to indicate the city's periods of growth; includes utensils for domestic tasks, ornamental items, worship, and leisure. Escritura (Writing): The 32 inscribed stelae demonstrate the first writing system in Mesoamerica, mainly used to record history through symbols to indicate dates and events. The Zapotec writing system developed across the four phases of occupation (500 BC–800 AD), with pieces mainly from the Special Archaeology Project 1992–1994. Comercio e Intercambio (Trade and Exchange): These activities were intense and conducted with local communities and others, notably Teotihuacan. Mica, a local material, was exported there and possibly used in brazier production and other objects. Another example of this exchange rests on the hypothesis that between 150 and 200 AD the Zapotecs traveled to Teotihuacan, where, with their early astronomical knowledge, they helped lay out the city. Colección Ósea (Bone Collection): The human remains found in burials and tombs provide direct evidence for studying Monte Albán's ancient inhabitants and have allowed the determination of some physical traits, ailments and surgical practices such as deformation, cranial trepanation, and dental mutilation. Three burials from different contexts are reconstructed, accompanied by their original offerings. El Colapso (The Collapse): Monumental construction ceased around 800 AD; within a few generations the inhabitants abandoned the city. Some may have moved to other communities at the valley's edges, though there was a demographic decline in the region. After Monte Albán's collapse, city-states flourished in the valley floor, such as Mitla, Yagul and Zaachila. The presence of burials during the Postclassic and the reuse of tombs at Monte Albán indicate the city remained sacred, even though the political-ceremonial center was uninhabited. The most spectacular example is the tomb 7 treasure, found by Alfonso Caso in 1932 and currently on display at the Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca.

Three exhibitions per year; thematic content: contemporary art, photography, archaeology related to Zapotec culture, and customs from nearby communities.