Monte Albán — Building H
Building H is a central ceremonial and residential structure in Monte Albán’s Main Plaza, featuring a basamento with two bodies, three upper structures, a patio, and an underground tunnel, exemplifying Zapotec elite architecture.
Location and layout
Building H is positioned in the central alignment of Monte Albán’s Main Plaza, which measures approximately 300 m (984 ft) by 200 m (656 ft), forming part of the north-south spine that divides the esplanade into eastern and western halves. It is flanked by Building G to the north and Building I to the south, creating a line of conjoined structures with Building H in the middle. The layout includes a basamento with two sloping bodies, topped by three rectangular structures arranged around a central patio, accessed via stairways. This configuration relates to the site’s processional design, emphasizing its integration with the surrounding ceremonial landscape. [1] [4]
Architecture and construction
Constructed during Monte Albán III (AD 200–900), Building H features a basamento with two talud-tablero bodies, typical of Zapotec architecture, supporting three upper adobe structures with stucco finishes. The central structure likely served residential purposes, while the overall design includes a patio for domestic or ritual activities. An underground tunnel may connect to adjacent areas, though not confirmed for Building H specifically. Phased construction aligns with the plaza’s development, using local stone and adobe, without major later alterations. [1] [5]
Sculpture and epigraphy
Building H lacks extensive documented sculpture or epigraphy, consistent with its central placement, though the plaza’s central line may include minor decorative elements shared with Buildings G and I, such as stucco motifs or reused stones. Any iconography would reflect Zapotec themes of authority and ritual. [3] [6]
Archaeological research
Excavated by Alfonso Caso during the 1931–1953 Monte Albán Project through stratigraphic methods and ceramic analysis, Building H was studied as part of the central plaza’s division, dated to Monte Albán III. Recent geophysical surveys (2021) by Marc N. Levine et al. revealed buried structures beneath the plaza, providing context for the central line’s evolution. Scholars like Joyce Marcus note its role in sociopolitical transformation. Debates focus on functional distinctions from G and I, with consensus on ceremonial-residential use. [7] [8]
Visiting notes
Visitors can observe Building H from the Main Plaza’s ground level, appreciating its central position and symmetry with G and I, following a clockwise path for contextual understanding of the plaza’s division. The site emphasizes its architectural harmony. [4]
Related MAHC WIKI entries
- Main Plaza
- Building G
- Building I
- North Platform
References
- INAH. “Monte Albán.” Lugares INAH. https://lugares.inah.gob.mx/en/node/4351. Official description of structures.
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre. (1987). “Historic Centre of Oaxaca and Archaeological Site of Monte Albán.” https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/415/. Site overview.
- Wikipedia contributors. “Monte Albán.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monte_Albán. General context.
- Sailing Stone Travel. “Visiting Monte Albán.” https://sailingstonetravel.com/visiting-monte-alban/. Visitor guide.
- Marcus, Joyce, and Kent V. Flannery. (1996). Zapotec Civilization. Thames & Hudson. Architectural analysis.
- Department of the Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas. “Monte Albán: Sacred Architecture.” The Metropolitan Museum of Art. https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/alban/hd_alban.htm. Essay on site.
- Levine, Marc N., et al. (2021). “Monte Albán’s Hidden Past.” Latin American Antiquity. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/latin-american-antiquity/article/monte-albans-hidden-past-buried-buildings-and-sociopolitical-transformation/BA2A7630ADF117443C01C801C99EAED6. Geophysical research.
- Blanton, Richard E. (1978). Monte Albán: Settlement Patterns. Academic Press. Settlement study.
