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Zapotec Civilization

By ziansin
  • 700 BCE

    Zapotec civilization originates in the valleys of Oaxaca

    Zapotec civilization lived in the three central valleys of Oaxaca in southern Mesoamerica.
  • Period: 700 BCE to 250

    Pre-classic Period

    The period of the birth of Zapotec civilization.
  • Zapotecs develop a calendar system
    600 BCE

    Zapotecs develop a calendar system

    The Zapotec solar calendar was a 365-day calendar.
  • Construction of structures for public rituals in San José Mogote
    600 BCE

    Construction of structures for public rituals in San José Mogote

    Zapotec rituals included human sacrifice, weddings, and baptisms.
  • Zapotecs develop a writing system
    599 BCE

    Zapotecs develop a writing system

    Zapotec script was a combination of symbols and icons
  • Monte Alban founded
    500 BCE

    Monte Alban founded

    The capital of the Zapotec civilization from 500 BCE to 700 AD.
  • Period: 400 BCE to 100 BCE

    Monte Alban I

    Expansion of Zapotec civilization.
  • 250 BCE

    Monte Alban population growth

    The population of Monte Alban grows to about 20,000
  • 200 BCE

    Zapotecs develop a new irrigation system

    Between 200 B.C. and 200 A.D. The development of the irrigation canal helped with the growing population.
  • Building J is constructed in Monte Alban
    100 BCE

    Building J is constructed in Monte Alban

    Stone building shaped like an arrowhead.
  • Period: 100 BCE to 100

    Monte Alban II

    Increase in Zapotec expansion and influence.
  • Period: 200 to 900

    Monte Alban III

    Monte Alban is at its peak in its influence and power. Construction of ball courts and a patio-altar complex.
  • 250

    Zapotec establish a trading link with the Aztec empire

    The Zapotecs traded items such as jade, obsidian, and corn.
  • 250

    Monte Alban is at its peak in population

    The population of Monte Alban grows to more than 25,000. However, the exact peak population of Monte Alban is a highly debated subject, as some historians believe the peak population was 17,000 while others believe it was 30,000-40,000.
  • Period: 250 to 900

    Classic Period

  • Artifact: Zapotec funerary urn is made
    300

    Artifact: Zapotec funerary urn is made

    This famous artifact is believed to have been made between AD 300 - 650. The urn is in the shape of a bat or a jaguar.
  • Temple of the Danzantes is built
    398

    Temple of the Danzantes is built

    Dazantes figures depict war captives who were sacrificed to the gods.
  • Mitla becomes the new capital
    700

    Mitla becomes the new capital

    Mitla was a religious center of the Zapotec civilization.
  • Period: 900 to 1521

    Post-classic Period

  • Period: 900 to 1350

    Monte Alban IV

    Period of Zapotec decline. Resources become scarce
  • 1100

    Zaachila becomes the new capital

    Zaachila is located on an island in a lake. It was the last Zapotec capital.
  • 1200

    Decline: Zapotec war with Mixtec

    Mixtecs invade Monte Alban.
  • Period: 1350 to 1521

    Monte Alban V

    The final phase of Monte Alban.
  • 1500

    Decline: War between Aztecs and Zapotecs

    The last Aztec-Zapotec battle. Ahuizotl, the Aztec emperor, wanted to expand the Aztec territory into Zapotec territory. The war lasted from 1497 to 1502.
  • Zapotecs civilization falls due to Spanish invasions
    1521

    Zapotecs civilization falls due to Spanish invasions

    The Zapotec army had already been weakened because of the war with the Aztecs.