Zaachila
Zaachila Archaeological Zone
Postclassic (Militaristic) 1100–1521 CE·Zapotec-Mixtec (Late Zapotec)·🇲🇽 Oaxaca, Zaachila District, Mexico
About
About Zaachila
Final Zapotec capital (1100–1521 CE) after Monte Albán fall: two palaces with Mixtec-influenced polychrome tombs (Tomb 1 owl deity, Tomb 2 Funerary urns with coqui xee step frets, Mixtec codical murals). Unfinished pyramid 20 m, Zapotec-Mixtec hybrid ceramics. Last lord Cosijoeza father of Cosijopii resists Aztec, contacts Spaniards 1521; market still operates Thursday tianguis since prehispanic. On UNESCO tentative since 1987.
Why it mattersOnly intact late Zapotec royal tombs; documents Zapotec-Mixtec cohabitation and Aztec tribute frontier.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Who was buried in Tomb 1 — Zaachila I?
- 02Mixtec mural artists resided or itinerant
Theories
- 01Zapotec-Mixtec dual lineage via marriage (Lady 9 Grass)
- 02Zaachila as buffer vs Aztec garrisons
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.1100–1350 CE; tombs 1200–1400 CE
- Period
- Postclassic (Militaristic) 1100–1521 CE
- Culture
- Zapotec-Mixtec (Late Zapotec)
- Builders
- Zapotec (Zaachila dynasty)
- Purpose
- Capital city, royal tombs and tribute market
- Abandoned
- c.1521 (Spanish conquest; lord cedes)
- Rediscovered
- 1962 Roberto Gallegos excavates Tomb 1
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
1100
Capital transfers from Mitla to Zaachila
1962
Tomb 1 polychrome discovery
On the ground
Structures & features
16.9514° N · 96.7525° W · 1520 m · 2 mapped features
Tomb 1 (Owl Tomb)
tombRock-cut tomb with owl deity stucco and Mixtec murals
16.9518° N · 96.7520° WUnfinished Pyramid
pyramid20 m adobe pyramid with stair and offering caches
16.9510° N · 96.7530° W
Gallery