Monte Albán is a hill-top site, centrally located within the valley of Oaxaca. It had its beginnings in the Formative Period of Mesoamerican prehistory. Many of the most famous monuments were carved at that time. However, most of the architecture that is visible today was constructed during the later phases of the Classic Period. The earlier Classic and Formative monuments were not destroyed or covered up. Instead they were incorporated into the later structures as cornerstones or façade adornments.

The monuments shown here are some of the most important political statements from the early Classic Period of Monte Albán.
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