HISTORY
Occupation of this town goes back 3,500 years when
El Mogote was one of the first cities in the Central
Valley. Zapotec culture blossomed here.
ARCHAEOLOGY
Definition -- Mogotes are small mounds. They can be
an unexcavated archaeological site or municipal boundary markers.
See photos.
This site was a predecesor of Monte
Albán and peaked between 600 and 300 BC. Of the surviving
structures you'll see several pyramids and a ball court. Most of
the site is covered with vegetation and signage is almost non-existent.
Dirt paths lead to the top of mounds with incredible panoramic views
of the Valley. It's well worth the climb.
COMMUNITY
The site is located next to the town of San José el Mogote.
The town's inhabitants are descendants of the workers of an old
hacienda. These people arrived from different parts of the valley
and conserve indigenous traditions without having a specific ethnicity.
COMMUNITY MUSEUM
Not to be missed is the modest community museum, housed in the
former El Cacique Hacienda. The museum includes a collection of
archaeological pieces. One bit of advice -- be patient. For security
reasons, the museum is often locked and it may take longer to find
the person in charge who can open the doors than you'll spend inside.
The most famous figure is a red-colored jade
effigy. A second room focuses on the history of the hacienda and
the local fight for land.
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