Pictures of pyramids of Monte Alban, Oaxaca, Mexico.
The Zapotec Culture was a civilization that developed in southern Mexico from the isthmus of Tehuantepec to Acapulco, especially in the region of Oaxaca. Its natives populate these regions for 2500 years, however, the oldest and most reliable archaeological records date back to 800 BC.
They would have been contemporaries of the Maya, the Aztecs and the Teotihuacans.
The term Zapotec is actually a derivation of the Nahuatl word "tzapotecah" (singular "tzapotecatl") which means "inhabitants of the Zapote region" (Zapote is a fruitful tree, producing the sapote, and from which it withdraws latex for soil and the manufacture of chewing gum).
The first Zapotecs arrived in Oaxaca from the north, probably about 1000 B.C. Although they did not attempt to remove any of the neighboring towns from their lands, it ended up being the predominant ethnic group in that region. They built important cities, the most famous being Monte Alban and Mitla.
The Zapotecs were one of the first civilizations of Mesoamerica, originated in central-southern Mexico, in the Valley of Oaxaca.
In terms of dates it can be considered that they exist from 800 BC some scholars believe that about 1,000 years were necessary for the full development of that town.
It is believed that the origin of the Zapotecs dates back to 800 BC; His cradle would have been the Oaxaca Valley, where recently some archaeologists found evidence that says a lot about the customs of that civilization. Just to get an idea, the area that they have set up their residence had a nutrient-rich land, which makes it ideal for the practice of agriculture.
Monte Alban, the Zapotec capital
Located about 10 km from the city of Oaxaca de Juárez, Mount Albán was the most important pre-Hispanic capital of the Oaxaca Valley region, which exercises political, economic and religious control over the other towns. It was one of the first urban centers of Mesoamerica and at its peak it came to have a population of about 35 thousand inhabitants.
The Zapotecs created their own political capital, called Monte Alban, a city that served as the headquarters of the Zapotec civilization.
In this city there would be varied sacred and civil buildings, stadiums, tombs and markets. The city was built on several staggered platforms like pyramids of different heights. Some historians believe that the city may exist here more than 2000 years ago.
Characteristics of the Zapotec culture
His belief in nature is one of the characteristics that highlights them most. They worshiped as gods Cocijo, god of rain, represented by the symbol of fertility and the symbols of the earth and the jaguar-snake. Apparently, the human sacrifices they gave them were an important religious ritual.
They worshiped their ancestors and, like other tribal religions, worshiped the dead. The weavers and potters were famous for their ornate funeral urns and earthenware vessels placed on the graves.
Zapotec religion
Just like so many other Mesoamerican Cultures, the Zapotec religion was polytheistic, that is, they believed in several gods.
By believing in various gods the Zapotec civilization ends up highlighting a great God, who became known as the God Xipe Totec, thus gaining different characteristics, names and meanings.
The Zapotec belief also in:
- The God Cocijo: Known as the God of rain, compared to the Aztec God Tlaloc.
- Coquihani, God of sunlight.
- They worshiped ancestors, believing in the existence of an underground paradise, hence the importance of worshiping the dead.
