Dainzú

Shortly after Teotitlán del Valle a turning to the left leads to the site of the archaeological ruin Dainzú. Excavation work has revealed that a very old settlement which once existed here was probably inhabited from about 500 bc until ad 1400, i.e. during the Monte Albán I-V periods. Only a few buildings from this once great Zapotec cult centre have been researched.

One of the most important of these buildings has a pyramid-shaped base and is built in a style similar to that of the north platform at Monte Albán.

A gallery of highly-interesting flat worked stones was found on the south side of the basement. The reliefs appear, like the "danzantes" in Monte Albán, to have been influenced by the Olmecs. Depictions include people playing the ball game (pelota), and priests or deities with jaguars as patrons of the game. The main staircase in this building was constructed later (about ad 700). Similar figures and scenes to those in the wall gallery have been chiselled into the rocks at the summit of the hill. The tomb of a ruler or priest has also been found here. A building in the process of excavation, whose walls and staircases date from the 3rd c. bc, can be seen in the lower section of the construction. A ball court dating from the 10th or 11th c. ad is situated a little to one side.