Monte Albán — Stelae 12 and 13

Stelae 12 and 13 are early Zapotec stone monuments at Monte Albán, featuring the site’s earliest hieroglyphic inscriptions that record a ruler’s accession and demonstrate unique linguistic features of Zapotec writing.

Stelae 12 and 13, known as Estelas 12 y 13, are carved stone monuments located near the Prisoner Gallery at the south end of Building L in Monte Albán’s Main Plaza, dating to the site’s founding phase around 500–100 BCE. As some of the earliest examples of Zapotec hieroglyphic writing at this ceremonial center in Oaxaca, Mexico, they record the accession of a ruler using unique linguistic elements like numbers after day names and rebuses, serving as political propaganda to affirm authority. Their significance lies in demonstrating the origins of Zapotec script, calendar systems, and state formation, with references to solar years and divided ritual cycles that highlight advanced astronomical knowledge. [1] [3]

Location and layout

Stelae 12 and 13 are positioned on the western side of Monte Albán’s Main Plaza, measuring approximately 300 m (984 ft) by 200 m (656 ft), near System M and the South Platform, adjacent to the Danzantes Gallery at the south end of Building L. The stelae are vertically oriented stones, likely placed for public visibility in a processional context, relating to nearby features like the South Platform and Building J, emphasizing their integration into the site’s ceremonial and political landscape. [4] [5]

Architecture and construction

Carved during Monte Albán I (500–100 BCE), Stelae 12 and 13 were constructed from local stone, smoothed and incised with hieroglyphs using pecking and abrading techniques typical of early Zapotec monument production. The stelae feature vertical orientations with inscriptions reading top to bottom or bottom to top, aligned with astronomical observations such as solar year references and calendar divisions. Construction phases align with the site’s early urban development, without later modifications noted. [1] [6]

Sculpture and epigraphy

Stelae 12 and 13 are distinguished by their hieroglyphic inscriptions, representing the earliest known Zapotec writing with unique features like numerals following day names—a trait absent in other Mesoamerican scripts—and rebuses exploiting homonyms, such as “yobi” for both “thumb” and “first-born son.” Stela 12’s inscription, read top to bottom, states: “In the Year 4 Lightning, [a man named] 8 Water, a first-born-son, was seated in office,” tentatively interpreted as recording a ruler’s accession. The stelae reference a solar year and divide the 260-day ritual calendar into four 65-day cycles (cocijos), reflecting astronomical knowledge. Associated with themes of sacrifice and political authority, they include year signs, day names, and personal identifiers, serving as propaganda. Stela 13 shares similar glyphic elements, though less detailed in sources. [1] [3] [7]

Archaeological research

Documented during Alfonso Caso’s 1931–1953 Monte Albán Project through excavations and stratigraphic analysis, Stelae 12 and 13 were dated to Monte Albán I via associated ceramics and stylistic comparisons. Joyce Marcus’s studies since 1972, culminating in her 2020 analysis, deciphered the inscriptions, identifying Zapotec-specific features like postposed numerals and rebuses, affirming Monte Albán’s monopoly on early writing. Javier Urcid’s epigraphic work corroborated interpretations, integrating radiocarbon data. Modern research employs 3D modeling for preservation, with debates on exact readings due to tentative translations but consensus on political and astronomical significance. [1] [8]

Visiting notes

Visitors can view Stelae 12 and 13 in Area Two of the Monte Albán Site Museum, where they are showcased as examples of early Zapotec writing, following the museum’s interpretive sequence that contextualizes their role in the site’s history. Originals are preserved indoors for protection, with the plaza vantage points aiding understanding of their in situ ceremonial context near Building L. [5]

Related MAHC WIKI entries

Danzantes
Building L
Main Plaza
Building J

References

Marcus, Joyce. (2020). Zapotec Monuments and Political History. Memoirs of the Museum of Anthropology, University of Michigan, No. 61. Comprehensive analysis of Zapotec inscriptions including Stelae 12 and 13.
UNESCO World Heritage Centre. (1987). “Historic Centre of Oaxaca and Archaeological Site of Monte Albán.” https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/415/. Official listing and description.
Marcus, Joyce. “Origins of Hieroglyphic Writing.” Archaeological Research in Oaxaca, Mexico. University of Michigan. https://sites.lsa.umich.edu/oaxaca-archaeology/origins-of-hieroglyphic-writing-2/. Discussion of early Zapotec script on Stelae 12 and 13.
Caso, Alfonso, Ignacio Bernal, and Jorge R. Acosta. (1967). La Cerámica de Monte Albán. Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (INAH). Excavation reports and chronology.
INAH. “Museo de Sitio de Monte Albán.” Lugares INAH. https://lugares.inah.gob.mx/en/node/4308. Description of museum displays including Stelae 12 and 13.
Urcid, Javier. (2001). Zapotec Hieroglyphic Writing. Dumbarton Oaks. https://www.doaks.org/resources/publications/books/zapotec-hieroglyphic-writing. Epigraphic analysis.
ICOMOS. “Astronomical Heritage.” UNESCO World Heritage Centre. https://whc.unesco.org/uploads/activities/documents/activity-631-1.pdf. Details on astronomical orientations of Stelae 12 and 13.
Feuerherm, Karl. (2024). “Nisaba 24.” Nisaba Publishing. https://nisaba.feuerherm.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/08/Nisaba-24-01.pdf. Review of Marcus’s readings.