Zapotec civilization

The Zapotec civilization was a major indigenous culture in Mesoamerica. It flourished in the Valley of Oaxaca for many centuries. The Zapotec people called themselves Be'ena'a, which means "The Cloud People."

Their history began at least 2,500 years ago. This civilization was centered in a region of three broad valleys. These valleys are named Etla, Ocotlán, and Mitla. They join at an altitude of about 4,500 feet. This area provided excellent soil for growing maize. The environment was well-suited for successful agriculture.

In the late 6th century BC, the Zapotec culture began to form. The three valleys were initially divided into different societies. These groups were separated by a "no-man's-land" in the center. Archaeological evidence shows these societies often competed with each other. Around 700 to 500 BC, older settlements like San José Mogote lost their populations. During this time, a new settlement grew on a mountain. This city was called Monte Albán.

Archaeologists believe people from San José Mogote moved there. This process of moving to a central city is called synoikism. It helped people respond to external military threats.

The Zapotec state expanded significantly during several distinct phases. During the Monte Albán 1 phase, from 400 to 100 BC, the city grew. By the Monte Albán 2 phase, which lasted from 100 BC to AD 200, the state became powerful. Zapotec rulers seized control of provinces outside the Oaxaca valley. By the year 200, their influence reached from Quiotepec in the north to Ocelotepec in the south. Monte Albán was the largest city in the southern Mexican highlands until about AD 700. This expansion is visible in the sudden change in pottery styles in distant regions. These areas began using Zapotec-style ceramics, showing they were integrated into the empire.

Archaeologists have found specific evidence of this military expansion. One notable example is Building J at Monte Albán. This building is unique because it is shaped like an arrowhead.

It contains more than 40 carved stones with hieroglyphic writing. These carvings are often called "The Conquest Slab." The glyphs represent different provinces controlled by the Zapotec. They also depict the rulers of those provinces. Some heads are carved upside down to show rulers who were killed. Other heads are upright to represent those who did not resist.

The Zapotec faced new challenges in the 15th and 16th centuries. In the 1450s, Aztec forces invaded the Valley of Oaxaca. The Aztecs conquered the area in 1458. They even built a fort at Huaxyácac to collect tribute. Later, Spanish explorers arrived in 1521. King Cosijoeza chose to seek an alliance with the Spaniards. This decision was made to avoid the fate of the Aztecs.

While many areas submitted peacefully, some resistance occurred in Antequera. After 1526, the land became part of the Viceroyalty of New Spain.

Contact with Europeans brought many difficult changes to the Zapotec people. Settlers from Spain introduced new animals like horses, cows, and sheep. However, they also brought many devastating diseases. The native population suffered from smallpox, measles, and influenza. One disease, called cocoliztli, was a hemorrhagic disease that caused great loss. Because of these epidemics, the population fell from 1.5 million in 1520 to 150,000 by 1650. Despite this tragedy, the population eventually began to rebound over time.

Today, Zapotec culture remains a vital part of Mexican society. There are seven distinct Zapotec languages. These languages belong to the Oto-Manguean language family. They are tone languages, meaning pitch changes the word's meaning.

For example, they use high, low, rising, and falling tones. Zapotec is spoken in the mountains, the coast, and even in Los Angeles. Many descendants are also known for their skill in the agricultural industry.

The Zapotec people continue to carry their history forward.