Monte Albán – Eastern Group
There are five structures of the Eastern Group (From North to South)
The Ball Court
Building II
Building P
The Palace
Building Q
Ball Court
The large, well preserved Ball Court on the North East Corner of the Central Plaza is usually the first building visitors explore in Monte Alban. The ball court is the largest and in the best condition of the five located in this archeological site. The number and location of this court directly on the central Plaza signifies the importance of the game to the Zapotec people and of this particular court.
There are many theories about the game and much speculation. We do know that all early Mesoamerican cultures played one form of the game or another from the Olmecs to Toltecs, Mayans and Aztecs. Likely there was more than one game. The earliest known reference was through ball player figurines found in Michoacán and dated from 1700 BC. It is believed the game originated in southern Mexico.
The game was serious and used to solve political and social conflicts. To organize an event was a status display of the wealth and social skills. Both the Maya and Aztecs solved hereditary issues through the results of the game.
Players wore protection much like football players today. They had leather knee pads protection for the chest and arms. They wore special pads on their hips to ensure they could hit the heavy solid rubber balls. One of the games was a sort of basketball where players only used their hips, elbows and knees to propel the balls.
Human sacrifice was usually an integral part of the game. Losing teams would often be decapitated and in some ancient sites there is even a skull rack permanently situated beside the ball court to display the heads of the loosing team.
There was a tremendous social element at the event. Besides the ever present gambling, there was a general sense of celebration, feasting and community spirit.
Constructed around 100BC to 200 AD, this Ball Court is unusual because it is subterranean and lies below the ground. Observers would have had to view the game from above.
Typical of most Ball Courts, this one is shaped like the Capital I. It measures 41 by 24 meters (135 by 79 feet) and is flanked on the longest sides by sloping walls. While they appear to be steps they were not for the audience to sit on. The ball when landing on the wall would roll down the surface of the walls and back to the play field.
Unlike Mayan Ball courts, the Zapotec courts did not have rings on the sides. This emphasizes the theory that there was not one particular ball court game but rather a number of different game played on the courts.
Building II
This is a small temple 25 by 30 meters (82 by 98 feet) square and faces the west toward the Central Plaza. It was constructed around 400AD using the same style as typical in Teotihuacan with talud-tablero (or slope-panel) facades with carvings. It has 2 sets of a 5 columned temple on the top mirroring similar carved moldings in the Grande Plaza.
Building P
Also known as El Piramide this structure was built in 400 AD. And faces the Main courtyard and Building H. Archeologist believe these two pyramid/temples were used together in rituals and events. The grand stairway is adorned with a vertical shaft and the inner stairway has a hidden tunnel leading up to the alter.
Building P is 25 by 35 meters (82 by 115 feet) on the sides and measures 11 meters (36 feet) in height. – standing taller than the surrounding structures in the east Group.
The Palace
Constructed around 350 and expanded in 800 AD, the Palaces walls are over a meter thick (3 feet) and measure 22 by 25 meters (36 by 82 feet) at its base. Underneath there is a tunnel making its way to the main plaza.
Archeologists believe that this structure was a residence for an elite family. It is similar to residences elsewhere in Monte Alban, typical Zapotec palace architecture, although this palace is far grander. The Palace has a patio and small alter surrounded by four rooms and nine other smaller rooms. Some of the rooms have benches presumably used to sleep on. Likely the altar was used for private ceremonies.
Building Q
Building Q is located between the Palace and the steps to the Southern Platform. It is largely unexcavated but it is believed to have had a columned temple on the top. Constructed around 500 AD this building was again remodeled in 750 AD.