Dainzú
Encyclopedia
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| Name: | Dainzú |
| Location | Valle de Tlacolula, Oaxaca Oaxaca Oaxaca , , officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Oaxaca is one of the 31 states which, along with the Federal District, comprise the 32 federative entities of Mexico. It is divided into 571 municipalities; of which 418 are governed by the system of customs and traditions... |
| Coordinates | 17°0′13"N 96°33′25"W |
| Culture | Zapotec Zapotec civilization The Zapotec civilization was an indigenous pre-Columbian civilization that flourished in the Valley of Oaxaca of southern Mesoamerica. Archaeological evidence shows their culture goes back at least 2500 years... |
| Period | Mesoamerican Preclassical & Classical |
| Foundation | Around 700 BCE. |
| Decline | Classical period, 300 CE |
| Language | Zapotec |
| INAH Official Page | Dainzú Archaeological Site – INAH |
Dainzú is a Zapotec
Zapotec civilization
The Zapotec civilization was an indigenous pre-Columbian civilization that flourished in the Valley of Oaxaca of southern Mesoamerica. Archaeological evidence shows their culture goes back at least 2500 years...
archaeological site located in the eastern side of the Valles Centrales de Oaxaca
Valles Centrales de Oaxaca
The Valles Centrales is a region in the heart of the state of Oaxaca, Mexico.It includes the districts of Etla, Centro, Zaachila, Zimatlán, Ocotlán, Tlacolula and Ejutla...
, about 20 km south-east of the city of Oaxaca
Oaxaca, Oaxaca
The city and municipality of Oaxaca de Juárez, or simply Oaxaca, is the capital and largest city of the Mexican state of the same name . It is located in the Centro District in the Central Valleys region of the state, in the foothills of the Sierra Madre at the base of the Cerro del Fortín...
, Oaxaca State, Mexico. It is an ancient village near to and contemporary with Monte Alban
Monte Albán
Monte Albán is a large pre-Columbian archaeological site in the Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán Municipality in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca...
and Mitla
Mitla
Mitla is the second most important archeological site in the state of Oaxaca in Mexico, and the most important of the Zapotec culture. The site is located 44 km from the city of Oaxaca. in the upper end of the Tlacolula Valley, one of the three that form the Central Valleys Region of the...
, 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 Ignacio Bernal
Ignacio Bernal
Ignacio Bernal was an eminent Mexican anthropologist and archaeologist.Bernal excavated much of Monte Albán, originally starting as a student of Alfonso Caso, and later led major archeological projects at Teotihuacan. In 1965 he excavated Dainzú...
.
Toponymy
The original name of this town is unknown. The archaeological site is named from the word Dannizhú, used by ancient inhabitants to refer the site, at the time when Bernal made local inquiries."Dainzú" means hill of the organ cactus in Zapotec, it is formed from two Zapotec words: danni meaning "hill" and zu meaning "organ cactus
Organ Pipe Cactus
The Organ Pipe Cactus is a species of cactus native to Mexico and the United States. The species is found in rocky desert. Two subspecies are recognized based on their distribution and height. The Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is named for the species.It is locally known as pitahaya dulce,...
".
Another name used for the archaeological site is "Quiebelagayo" (Zapotec language) that meas "Cinco Flore” (Five flower).
The above has the same meaning of the Nahua Toponymy Macuilxóchitl, name of the town closest to Dainzú.
History
The founding chronology of Dainzú is uncertain. However, it seems possible that the site was occupied some centuries before the foundation of Monte AlbánMonte Albán
Monte Albán is a large pre-Columbian archaeological site in the Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán Municipality in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca...
, 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 San José Mogote
San Jose Mogote
San José Mogote is a pre-Columbian archaeological site of the Zapotec, a Mesoamerican culture that flourished in the region of what is now the Mexican state of Oaxaca. A forerunner to the better-known Zapotec site of Monte Albán, San José Mogote was the largest and most important settlement in the...
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 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.
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.
Archaeological Site
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 ballgame players.During his 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.
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 occupied before Monte Alban, Dainzú apogee occurred from 600 BCE to 200 CE.
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.
Structures
The stone used for construction at Dainzú is mainly from river cobbles formed from volcanic rock such as basalt.All building construction was adjusted to the site topography.
Only three structures have been explored thus far:
Building A
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, 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.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 small number of bas-reliefs depicting priests making offerings, these stones are incised with calendrical dates
Mesoamerican calendars
Mesoamerican calendars are the calendrical systems devised and used by the pre-Columbian cultures of Mesoamerica. In addition to the basic function of a calendar—defining and organizing periods of time in a way that allows events to be fixed, ordered and noted relative to each other and some...
and may represent specific rituals related to the ballgame.
It is the oldest terrace, constructive characteristics have similarities with J building at Monte Albán
Monte Albán
Monte Albán is a large pre-Columbian archaeological site in the Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán Municipality in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca...
.
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.
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 tombs.
The lower terrace forms a 1.25 meter vertical wall. Entrance is by a stairway system recessed in the wall, at the southwest corner.
On the north side is relief different to the rest. The terrace has a central stairway.
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.
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.
Bas-Reliefs Gallery
These representations are unique in MesoamericaMesoamerica
Mesoamerica is a region and culture area in the Americas, extending approximately from central Mexico to Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica, within which a number of pre-Columbian societies flourished before the Spanish colonization of the Americas in the 15th and...
the bas-reliefs portray religious dignitaries as well as ball players holding a small ball in a hand.
The site features a gallery of carved stone bas-reliefs similar in style to the danzante bas-reliefs at Monte Albán
Monte Albán
Monte Albán is a large pre-Columbian archaeological site in the Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán Municipality in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca...
. Forty-seven of these represent ball-players
Mesoamerican ballgame
The Mesoamerican ballgame or Tlatchtli in Náhuatl was a sport with ritual associations played since 1,000 B.C. by the pre-Columbian peoples of Ancient Mexico and Central America...
wearing protective equipment such as helmets, knee-guards and gauntlets and holding a small ball in one hand. A large ball-court
Mesoamerican ballcourt
A Mesoamerican ballcourt is a large masonry structure of a type used in Mesoamerica for over 2,700 years to play the Mesoamerican ballgame, particularly the hip-ball version of the ballgame. Over 1,300 ballcourts have been identified, 60% in the last 20 years alone...
was found nearby, with an east-west orientation.
Further bas-reliefs are carved into the living rock of the hilltop shrine.
The presence of skulls may be an indication of the symbolism associated with the game.
Bas-Relief Interpretation
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 human sacrifice as the final outcome".Building B
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 the their different parts and correspond to different constructive times. It has six architectonic overlays, corresponding to different periods; the building has 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.The constructions simplicity and generosity of open spaces in plazas or patios, lead to imagine civic or popular activities.
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.
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.
Inside the terraces, four funerary chambers were found and several simpler tombs.
The most important tomb (tomb 7), was completely private and access was through a stairway.
Tomb 7
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.This tomb was looted perhaps in prehispanic times, hence it is partially destroyed.
Chronologically the Tomb corresponds to the Monte Alban II-III A era (200 to 600 CE).
Templo amarillo
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 Alban style) cylindrical columns on the right side, a rectangular niche was found. The entire building was painted yellow ochre. It might have had a religious significance as its orientation.Conjunto C
Esta estructura conectaba al sur con el conjunto B, de la misma altura. Es realmente una pequeña terraza que conectaba al sur con el conjunto D, aun no excavado.Ballgame Court
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.Located in the center of a large square. Seen in architectural plant, it is “I” shaped, as the Monte Alban and Yagul ballgame courts. It is oriented east-west, characteristic of all Mesoamerican ballgame courts.
During its investigation, anthropomorphic reliefs were found, representing ballgame players, confirming the ritual importance of this activity in the area.
Was built with engraved irregular stones jointed with clay mortar and pebbles or remnants of ceramics; It was covered with a thin stucco layer.
Players clothing consisted of a very particular combination of pants, knee pads, face masks or feline helmets and tapes among other elements.
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 is known with the name of olomaliztli.
See also
- LambityecoLambityecoLambityeco is a small archaeological site just about 3 kilometers west of the Tlacolula city in the Mexican state of Oaxaca. It is located just off Highway 190 about east from the city of Oaxaca enroute to Mitla. The site has been securely dated to the Late Classical Period.The Lambityeco name has...
- MitlaMitlaMitla is the second most important archeological site in the state of Oaxaca in Mexico, and the most important of the Zapotec culture. The site is located 44 km from the city of Oaxaca. in the upper end of the Tlacolula Valley, one of the three that form the Central Valleys Region of the...
- Mixteca Alta Formative ProjectMixteca Alta Formative ProjectMixteca Alta Formative Project is an archaeological project directed by Andrew Balkansky that focuses on the Mixtec of Oaxaca, Mexico. The project, which is funded by the National Science Foundation, the National Geographic Society, and the H. John Heinz III Fund, seeks to understand Mixtec...
- Monte AlbánMonte AlbánMonte Albán is a large pre-Columbian archaeological site in the Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán Municipality in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca...
- San José MogoteSan Jose MogoteSan José Mogote is a pre-Columbian archaeological site of the Zapotec, a Mesoamerican culture that flourished in the region of what is now the Mexican state of Oaxaca. A forerunner to the better-known Zapotec site of Monte Albán, San José Mogote was the largest and most important settlement in the...
- Valley of OaxacaValley of OaxacaThe Valley of Oaxaca is a geographic region located within the modern day State of Oaxaca in southern Mexico. The valley, which is located within the Sierra Madre Mountains, is shaped like a distorted and almost upside-down “Y,” with each of its arms bearing specific names: the northwestern Etla...
- YagulYagulYagul is an archaeological site and former city-state associated with the Zapotec civilization of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, located in the Mexican state of Oaxaca. The site was declared one of the country's four Natural Monuments on 13 October 1998. The site is also known locally as Pueblo Viejo ...
- ZaachilaZaachilaZaachila was a powerful Mesoamerican city in what is now Oaxaca, Mexico, 6 km from the city of Oaxaca. The city is named after Zaachila Yoo, the Zapotec ruler, in the late 14th and early 15th century. It is now an archaeological site...