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of Monte Albán important flourishing, Dainzú kept a dynamic of its own and positioned itself as one of the most important cities during the
Classical Mesoamerican period. Finally the decline of Monte Albán caused relations reshuffling between the villages of the region, which also affected Dainzú and caused its decline.
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every stone contains figures with motion, there are not two the same and complete in varied positions. According to
Ignacio Bernal hypothesis, these represent ballgame players whose position reveals movement, probably were placed during a reconstruction of the platform, reason there does not seem to be any arrangement.
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In Dainzú are represented two types of ballgame; one corresponds to images of older reliefs, gloves are used to catching, hitting or throwing the ball; the other was played at a later time in the I-shaped ballgame courts, the ball was stroked or launched with the hips. This latest version of the game
466:
Located west of complex A. Comprises a huge structure with a set of large walls rooms and beautiful stairways and patios that provide access to their different parts and correspond to different constructive times. It has six architectonic overlays, corresponding to different periods; the building has
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at the Etla Valley. As was the case with the rest of the villages from the region, Dainzú must have contributed in the foundation of Monte Albán. The Monte Albán construction was a milestone that contributed to the population decline in the zone, Dainzú population decreased around 200 BCE. In spite
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It is a small adobe and stone construction located inside building B, it is certainly an altar built over a stuccoed platform, it faces a small patio to the west, the portico is composed of two monolithic (Monte Albán style) cylindrical columns on the right side, a rectangular niche was found. The
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Dainzú built against a hill, apparently for aesthetic reasons the original entrance was on the side of the River at the west end. Had a long occupation sequence from 600 BCE to 1,200 CE, although there is a possibility, according to archaeological evidence, there is a possibility that the area was
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The architectural style of this site is important due to the unique structure characteristics that distinguish it from others in the Valley of Oaxaca; these reflect a high artistic quality, as in the case of the lower platform of building A, which has a bas-reliefs gallery representing, what have
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Although a minority of researchers suggest that the reliefs are of fighters, perhaps hurling stones, the strong consensus is that they portray ballplayers. According to researcher
Heather Orr, the reliefs form a processional sequence, showing specific moments from a ritual "fixed ball game with
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The upper terrace is the highest and is formed by an almost vertical wall of more than 5 meters high with rounded corners, access was through a roofed stepped indoor passage. During investigations, four rooms were found, roof made by large stones placed at an angle, as in some of the Monte Albán
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The structure is a large platform built against the west-facing hillside and has about 35 bas-reliefs carved into the southern side of its lower wall. Most of these represent ball-players, while four represent the four ballgame deities. Interspersed among the representations of ballplayers are a
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Located in the highest part of the site, apparently had religious purposes. Its construction is staggered, four platforms built with stones and clay, building four platforms, most interesting are the bas-reliefs decorating the bottom of the south wall of the lower body, called sculpture gallery,
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There are numerous archaeological sites on the banks of the Rio Salado, including the early village of
Abasolo. Opposite, on the west of Dainzú is a farming alluvial land; where Rosario Phase ceramic found confirms a Dainzú occupation from 750 BCE.
284:, as evidenced by the corresponding Rosario Phase ceramics found in the Oaxaca central valleys (700 – 500 BCE). At that time, Dainzú was one of the main villages of Tlacolula Valley. It was contemporary of other important population centers such as
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It was built in the central part of building B with engraved stone walls and niches. The roof consists of a monolithic stone. The entrance has a Jaguar figure, the head is engraved in the lintel and the forelegs flank the entrance.
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Originally this complex had two separate terraces, which were connected by the "Templo
Amarillo ". There are underground drainage channels for rainwater in several places. These are well constructed with rectangular cross-section.
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During its urban stage, Dainzú functioned as a second rank village, in terms of economic, political and religious importance. The main occupation corresponds to a transition period called II-IIIa, at approximately 250 to 350 CE.
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Located in the center of a large square. Seen in architectural plant, it is I-shaped, as the Monte Albán and Yagul ballgame courts. It is oriented east–west, characteristic of all
Mesoamerican ballgame courts.
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Access to this building is very characteristic: entrance was through the terrace bottom or plaza, via a staircase attached to the wall and crossed by a roofed hallway roofed with large monolithic stone slabs.
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During the different construction stages, changes were made, for example the addition of rooms, stairways and walls, with the essential aim of repairing building damages and prepare for new and other uses.
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211:, with an earlier development. Dainzú was first occupied 700-600 BC but the main phase of occupation dates from about 200 BC to 350 AD. The site was excavated in 1965 by Mexican archaeologist
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Comprises three terraces superimposed on the hill, is connected with building B by means of a stuccoed patio. It has two facades (north and south) with a large stairway in the center.
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an important tomb with a jaguar bas-relief on a monolithic rock that forms the entrance. The head of the jaguar is engraved in the lintel with the forelegs flanking the entrance.
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At the hill summit of this building, is a large number of natural rocks protruding from the vegetation and representing severed heads, probably related to ball players.
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Only one half of the ballgame court has been excavated and restored; It has small stone blocks resembling steps and were covered with stucco to form a sloped surface.
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This structure connected to the south with group B, of the same height. It is really a small terrace that connected to the south with Group D, not yet excavated.
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During its investigation, anthropomorphic reliefs were found, representing ballgame players, confirming the ritual importance of this activity in the area.
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The site is located beside a tributary of the Rio Salado, while steps and chambers carved into the rock on the peak above perhaps belonged to a shrine.
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Was built with engraved irregular stones jointed with clay mortar and pebbles or remnants of ceramics; It was covered with a thin stucco layer.
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Players clothing consisted of a very particular combination of pants, knee pads, face masks or feline helmets and tapes among other elements.
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The founding chronology of Dainzú is uncertain. However, it seems possible that the site was occupied some centuries before the foundation of
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The lower terrace forms a 1.25 meter vertical wall. Entrance is by a stairway system recessed in the wall, at the southwest corner.
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The constructions simplicity and generosity of open spaces in plazas or patios, lead to imagine civic or popular activities.
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wearing protective equipment such as helmets, knee-guards and gauntlets and holding a small ball in one hand. A large
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long been thought to be, ballgame players. However, new interpretations of these figures have recently been proposed.
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The stone used for construction at Dainzú is mainly from river cobbles formed from volcanic rock such as basalt.
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1019:. Indian peoples of Mexico series. Alberto Beltrán (illus.) (2nd ed.). México, D.F.: Minutiae Mexicana.
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entire building was painted yellow ochre. It might have had a religious significance as its orientation.
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the bas-reliefs portray religious dignitaries as well as ball players holding a small ball in a hand.
1004:
Blood and Beauty: organized violence in the art and archaeology of
Mesoamerica and Central America
333:
Stone steps at Dainzu - upper platform steps with a mixture of stones including ones with crystals
998:
Taube, Karl; Marc Zender (1983). "American
Gladiators: Ritual Boxing in Ancient Mesoamerica". In
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439:
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235:, used by ancient inhabitants to refer the site, at the time when Bernal made local inquiries.
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364:
small number of bas-reliefs depicting priests making offerings, these stones are incised with
904:"Cerro Danush: An Exploration of the Late Classic Transition in the Tlacolula Valley, Oaxaca"
635:
Winter, Marcus (1998). "Oaxaca: The
Archaeological Record. Indian peoples of Mexico series".
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On the north side the relief is different from the rest. The terrace has a central stairway.
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The most important tomb (tomb 7), was completely private and access was through a stairway.
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It is the oldest terrace, constructive characteristics have similarities with J building at
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The original name of this town is unknown. The archaeological site is named from the word
8:
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was found nearby, with an east–west orientation. Further bas-reliefs are carved into the
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The presence of skulls may be an indication of the symbolism associated with the game.
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Chronologically the Tomb corresponds to the Monte Alban II-III A era (200 to 600 CE).
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This tomb was looted perhaps in prehispanic times, hence it is partially destroyed.
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The ballplayers of Dainzú? An alternative interpretation of the Dainzú iconography
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Inside the terraces, four funerary chambers were found and several simpler tombs.
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The site features a gallery of carved stone bas-reliefs similar in style to the
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occupied before Monte Albán, Dainzú apogee occurred from 600 BCE to 200 CE.
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Steps to the lower terrace in the southwest corner of the upper building
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State, Mexico. It is an ancient village near to and contemporary with
991:
Stone Balls and masked Men: Ballgame as Combat Ritual, Dainzú, Oaxaca
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28:
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All building construction was adjusted to the site topography.
265:" (Zapotec language) that means "Cinco Flores” (Five flowers).
71:
59:
972:
The
Foundation Granting Department: Reports Submitted to FAMSI
915:
The Foundation Granting Department: Reports Submitted to FAMSI
976:
Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies, Inc.
919:
Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies, Inc.
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and may represent specific rituals related to the ballgame.
855:(5th, revised and enlarged ed.). London and New York:
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272:, which is part of the name of the town closest to Dainzú.
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532:
492:
411:
223:
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See Berger (2011), Orr (2003) and Taube and Zender (2009)
681:[Dainzú Archaeological Site Official Web Page].
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archaeological site located in the eastern side of the
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343:Only three structures have been explored thus far:
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261:Another name used for the archaeological site is "
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355:Sculpture Gallery at Dainzu Archaeological Site
1014:
939:. World of Art series (3rd ed.). London:
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195:, about 20 km south-east of the city of
16:Zapotec archaeological site in Oaxaca, Mexico
1054:The Iconography of Middle American sculpture
452:
1058:. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
937:The Art of Mesoamerica: From Olmec to Aztec
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134:Mesoamerican Preclassical & Classical
968:"Danzantes of Building L at Monte Albán"
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1070:Rubbings of Dainzú bas-reliefs at FAMSI
1050:Bernal, I; Coe, M; et al. (1973).
565:is known with the name of olomaliztli.
458:human sacrifice as the final outcome".
246:, it is formed from two Zapotec words:
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1008:Cotsen Institute of Archaeology Press
851:Mexico: from the Olmecs to the Aztecs
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889:(5th ed.). México, D.F.: INAH.
687:(in Spanish). México. Archived from
419:These representations are unique in
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1103:Former populated places in Mexico
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1017:Oaxaca: The Archaeological Record
887:The Oaxaca Valley: Official Guide
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434:. Forty-seven of these represent
177:Dainzú Archaeological Site – INAH
64:
1123:1965 archaeological discoveries
993:. Ancient Mesoamerica 5:73-104.
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415:Bas-Relief in sculpture gallery
1098:Archaeological sites in Oaxaca
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585:Mixteca Alta Formative Project
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1128:4th-century disestablishments
1118:7th-century BC establishments
1113:Tourist attractions in Oaxaca
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679:"Zona Arqueológica de Dainzú"
637:Minuta Mexicana, México, D.F.
544:Ballgame court, Restored side
461:
346:
324:
1075:Photos of Dainzú bas-reliefs
810:University of Oklahoma Press
808:(Revised ed.). Norman:
800:Adams, Richard E.W. (1991).
777:Coe & Koontz 2002, p.97.
21:Dainzú - Archaeological Site
7:
839:. Mexicon XXXIII(2): 46-51.
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227:Ballgame player bas-relief.
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193:Valles Centrales de Oaxaca
902:Faulseit, Ronald (2008).
677:Arriola Rivera, María V.
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453:Bas-Relief Interpretation
154:Classical period, 300 CE
989:Orr, Heather S. (2003).
966:Orr, Heather S. (2002).
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240:hill of the organ cactus
1015:Winter, Marcus (1998).
835:Berger, Martin (2011).
804:Prehistoric Mesoamerica
446:of the hilltop shrine.
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1002:; Rex Koontz (eds.).
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101:17.00361°N 96.55694°W
31:
58:Valle de Tlacolula,
32:Dainzú - Relief # 86
1010:. pp. 161–220.
941:Thames & Hudson
911:online publication)
857:Thames & Hudson
736:Winter 1998, p.119.
709:Oliveros, 1997: 25.
639:(in Spanish): 103.
407:Bas-Reliefs Gallery
297:Archaeological Site
250:meaning "hill" and
106:17.00361; -96.55694
97: /
23:
933:Miller, Mary Ellen
768:Adams 1996, p.240.
759:Winter 1998, p.55.
727:Miller 1996, p.52.
691:on 19 January 2018
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172:INAH Official Page
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366:calendrical dates
305:Group A at Dainzú
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144:Around 700 BCE.
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286:San José Mogote
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238:"Dainzú" means
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979:. Retrieved
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689:the original
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786:Orr, FAMSI.
590:Monte Albán
444:living rock
432:Monte Albán
421:Mesoamerica
373:Monte Albán
282:Monte Albán
205:Monte Albán
104: /
79:Coordinates
1092:Categories
981:2008-10-10
924:2008-12-23
793:References
575:Lambityeco
462:Building B
440:ball-court
347:Building A
325:Structures
140:Foundation
92:96°33′25″W
254:meaning "
89:17°0′13″N
1035:26752490
959:59530512
935:(2001).
885:(1973).
875:50131575
828:22593466
655:26752490
610:Zaachila
569:See also
428:danzante
233:Dannizhú
219:Toponymy
160:Language
54:Location
895:1336526
520:Group C
382:tombs.
276:History
244:Zapotec
189:Zapotec
165:Zapotec
150:Decline
123:Zapotec
118:Culture
48:Dainzú
1033:
1023:
957:
947:
893:
873:
863:
826:
816:
695:18 Jan
653:
643:
488:Tomb 7
201:Oaxaca
197:Oaxaca
185:Dainzú
130:Period
72:Mexico
69:
60:Oaxaca
883:INAH
616:Notes
605:Yagul
580:Mitla
248:danni
209:Mitla
187:is a
44:Name:
1031:OCLC
1021:ISBN
955:OCLC
945:ISBN
891:OCLC
871:OCLC
861:ISBN
824:OCLC
814:ISBN
697:2018
684:INAH
651:OCLC
641:ISBN
207:and
909:PDF
258:".
242:in
1094::
1029:.
974:.
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