Founded before Monte Albán, Dainzú was an important settlement in the Classic period of Mesoamerica, it is located in the region of Central Valleys, in this region the ball game was widely practiced.
If you have not seen the Ball Game post I invite you to see it: WHAT IS THE (“JUEGO DE PELOTA”) BALL GAME?
- ¿CUÁNDO SE FUNDÓ DAINZÚ?
- ¿CÓMO SE ORGANIZA?
- ¿QUÉ HABÍA EN DAINZÚ?
- ¿DE DÓNDE VIENE EL NOMBRE DAINZÚ?
- ¿CÓMO LLEGAR A DAINZÚ?
WHEN DID DAINZÚ ARISE?
Dainzú was built centuries before Monte Albán, this settlement had an important role in the development of Monte Albán.
HOW IS DAINZÚ ORGANIZED?
In the past, the west was an important orientation for buildings, the buildings of Dainzú are oriented to the west.
The government zone is attached to the mountain, this gave it strategic characteristics towards the valley.
The place is built as a terrace system, connected with hallways, plazas and ladders.
WHAT DID DAINZÚ HAVE?
Dainzú was an important place for the ball game and even for trade.
There are some evidences that in the classic period Dainzú traded with Teotihuacán.
The ball game was a very important activity in Mesoamerica, Dainzú has its own ball game, but this one is different to others from the region, in this ball game, there are not the usual rock rings, and in the corners it has niches to offer things to the zapotec gods.
Besides the ball game and the government building, a grave with great decoration stands out, this grave is located in building B.
In the building A, there are 3 terraces, in the one below there are stone slabs with anthropomorphous figures and representations of ball players. This slabs can also be found in the Dainzú mountain, these represent beheaded ball players.
WHERE DOES THE NAME DAINZÚ COMES FROM?
The name comes from the word dannizhú that means “mountain of organs”, but the site was probably called Quiebelagayo that in zapotec is the word for Macuilxóchitl or “5 flower”, this name is related to an important god in the practice of the ball game.
HOW TO GET TO DAINZÚ?
Dainzú is located in the Tlacolula valley, to get there you can take a public transport or a taxi that goes to Mitla, in the Panamerican road 190 there is a deviation that goes to the place.
Usually the place is included in tour packages. If you want to know more you can contact us.
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