Monte Albán — Building VG

Building VG is the largest structure in the Vértice Geodésico complex on the North Platform at Monte Albán, a Classic period ceremonial platform with astronomical alignments for solar observations, exemplifying Zapotec sacred architecture.

Building VG, also known as Edificio VG, is the largest ceremonial platform in the Vértice Geodésico complex on Monte Albán’s North Platform, dating to the site’s Classic period around AD 500–800. As part of this small enclosed plaza in Oaxaca, Mexico, it flanks the eastern side opposite the Temple of the Two Columns, featuring staircases aligned for solar observations such as sunsets on key dates like September 1 and April 11. Its significance lies in contributing to Zapotec archaeoastronomy, where architecture articulated time through alignments with the landscape and celestial events, reflecting the site’s role in ordering calendars and rituals. [3] [1]

Location and layout

Building VG is located on the eastern side of the Vértice Geodésico complex, a small plaza on the North Platform north of the Main Plaza (300 m x 200 m / 984 ft x 656 ft). The complex is surrounded by Edificio D (north), Edificio E (south), the Temple of the Two Columns (west), and Building VG (east), forming a quadrilateral layout with a central patio. This positioning allows for views toward the south and integrates with the site’s elite residential and ceremonial zones, emphasizing symmetry and processional paths. [1] [4]

Architecture and construction

Constructed during Monte Albán IIIB–IV (AD 500–800), Building VG is a rectangular platform, the largest in the complex, built with stone foundations, adobe walls, and stucco finishes typical of Zapotec architecture. It includes staircases for access, with the complex featuring columns (some altered) and carvings like the God of the Wide Beak on non-local stone in the Temple of the Two Columns. The geometric layout aligns with solar paths, articulating time through sacred architecture. Phased development aligns with the North Platform’s expansion, without later modifications noted. [3] [1]

Sculpture and epigraphy

The Vértice Geodésico complex includes carvings on columns in the Temple of the Two Columns, depicting the God of the Wide Beak, but Building VG itself lacks documented sculpture or epigraphy. Associated fragments, like monolito MA-SP-5 found in Mound D, suggest possible reused materials with glyphs, reflecting Zapotec writing systems. Iconography ties to cosmology and ritual themes. [5] [1]

Archaeological research

Excavated in Alfonso Caso’s 1931–1953 Monte Albán Project using stratigraphic methods, the complex was documented as part of elite zones. Recent INAH archaeoastronomy workshops (September 1, 2025) by Arturo Montero observed sunset alignments from Building VG’s staircases with the Temple of the Two Columns, linking to dates like September 1 (axis symmetry) and September 2 (73 days post-solstice, family 73 in Mesoamerican calendars). Geophysical surveys in the Main Plaza (2020) by Levine et al. provide context for buried structures, though not specific to VG. Debates on column positions persist, but consensus affirms astronomical functions. [3] [6] [7]

Visiting notes

Visitors can explore Building VG within the Vértice Geodésico complex on the North Platform, ascending for panoramic views and observing alignments during equinoxes or solstices. The site is open daily 8 AM–5 PM (MXN 95 admission); guided tours recommended for astronomical context. As a modern geodetic marker is present, it aids mapping but does not alter ancient features. [4] [8]

Related MAHC WIKI entries

North Platform
Main Plaza
Temple of the Two Columns
Building J

References

Pueblos Originarios. “Monte Albán: La ciudad de las nubes.” https://www.pueblosoriginarios.com/meso/oaxaca/zapoteca/monte_alban.html. Complex layout and buildings.
UNESCO World Heritage Centre. (1987). “Historic Centre of Oaxaca and Archaeological Site of Monte Albán.” https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/415/. Site listing.
INAH. (2025). “En Monte Albán el tiempo se ordenó mediante un modelo articulado por la arquitectura sagrada.” https://inah.gob.mx/boletines/en-monte-alban-el-tiempo-se-ordeno-mediante-un-modelo-articulado-por-la-arquitectura-sagrada. Archaeoastronomy alignments.
Drive Me Foody. (2022). “Monte Albán, visiting the oldest civilisation in Mexico.” https://drivemefoody.com/en/monte-alban-visiting-the-oldest-civilisation-in-mexico/. General overview.
Urcid, Javier. (2014). “Monte Albán y la Escritura Zapoteca.” Academia.edu. https://www.academia.edu/3590669/Monte_Alban_y_la_Escritura_Zapoteca. Monolito fragments in Mound D.
Levine, Marc N., et al. (2021). “Monte Albán’s Hidden Past: Buried Buildings and Sociopolitical Transformation.” Latin American Antiquity. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/latin-american-antiquity/article/monte-albans-hidden-past-buried-buildings-and-sociopolitical-transformation/BA2A7630ADF117443C01C801C99EAED6. Geophysical context.
Aveni, Anthony F. (1981). “The Observation of the Sun at the Time of Passage through the Zenith in Mesoamerica.” Journal for the History of Astronomy. https://adsabs.harvard.edu/full/1981JHAS…12…51A. General astronomy at site.
INAH. “Monte Albán.” Lugares INAH. https://lugares.inah.gob.mx/en/node/4351. Site info.