Mitla Palace of Columns North Group
Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE)·Bronze Age·🇲🇽 Oaxaca, Mitla, Mexico
About
About Mitla Palace of Columns North Group
Mitla Palace of Columns North Group in Oaxaca, Mitla, Mexico is a Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE) ancient city attributed to Bronze Age. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal walled area 12 ha and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 16.9270N -96.3640E controls access to Oaxaca resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey ancient city for Oaxaca, Mitla, illustrating Bronze Age construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction episodes
- 02Function in regional settlement hierarchy
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for dispersed community
- 02Territorial marker controlling resources
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 2800 BCE
- Period
- Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE)
- Culture
- Bronze Age
- Purpose
- Regional urban centre controlling trade and administration
- Rediscovered
- 1983 survey
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c. 2800 BCE
Initial construction of Mitla Palace of Columns North Group main structure
c. 1923
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
1983–2013
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Mitla Palace of Columns North Group) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
16.9270° N · 96.3640° W · 241 m · 3 mapped features
Mitla Palace of Columns North Group — Main Structure
structurePrincipal ancient city — Walled area 12 ha with diagnostic masonry/panel
16.9278° N · 96.3631° WMitla Palace of Columns North Group — Ancillary Complex
complexAncillary settlement debris and ceramics surrounding main feature
16.9260° N · 96.3647° WMitla Palace of Columns North Group — Peripheral Feature
outlierPeripheral feature with outlier deposit and burial
16.9285° N · 96.3628° W