Monte Albán is a site of pre-Columbian ruins a short trip from Oaxaca City. Like many ancient ruins it’s located at the top of a hill, an easier position to defend. The elevation is around 6400 feet.
We start with a view back to Oaxaca.
This is an ancient sun dial, and the changes in how the shadow progressed throughout the day identified the season of the year (longer shadows in winter make a larger arc when traced during the day). It’s oriented to the north so that a shadow directly to the right indicates mid-day. That’s the case in this picture taken about 15 minutes before noon.
Large stones with carved figures, most resembling humans.
The site from the top of the largest pyramid.
