Seven centuries before the birth of Christ, the Zapotecs leveled a mountaintop to create their ceremonial city. Spectacularly located, Monte Albán overlooks the three valleys of Oaxaca. It became the most important center in the area, and by A.D. 300 had a population of about 50,000 - more than any European city at the time.

The ruins feature an impressive ball court. Zapotec ball courts differ from those of the Maya in several ways; there are no stone rings and the court is shaped like a capital I.