Students and faculty from North Carolina State University Department of Horticultural Science are in Oaxaca for a study abroad course on Sustainability in Emerging Countries.
NCSU students and faculty setting out to explore Oaxaca
Here’s what a few students say about our first day at Monte Alban.
“We went to see Monte Alban first to give us background about Oaxaca and culture we are stepping into.”
Climbing the pyramids for a long view of the archeological site
“People here in Oaxaca take pride in this historic archeological site.”
Copal tree flowering and with seed pods — sap used for ritual incense
“You don’t know what people are talking about until you see the significance of this place.”
A long view of Monte Alban, with Observatory in distance
“It was a good foundation for what we would see and experience.”
Monte Alban is one of those spectacular archeological sites that grasp your attention, teach about the sophistication of Zapotec leadership and demonstrate the astronomical prowess of indigenous people.
Guide Pablo Gonzalez explains development of this major Mesoamerican site
The visit there gave students an opportunity to see native plants and understand the local plant life and landscape.
Pencil cactus becomes tree, with poisonous sap
As we climbed the temples and examined the plant life, saw the glyphs carved into the stone, and understood the ancient systems of water retention and cultivation, we gained a greater insight into the importance of Oaxaca as the source of corn that was first hybridized here almost 10,000 years ago and spread throughout the world.
At the top of the Zapotec world, 1,000 BC to 800 AD
We approached from the north side of the Monte Alban. The site is on a mountain-top between the city and the ancient ceramic making village of Santa Maria Atzompa.
Caretakers take a break in front of “Los Danzantes,” the Dancers, carved stone
The glyphs and carvings tell a story of conquest and dominance over surrounding villages, as well as the glyph language of rectangles and circles. Figures carved upside-down into the stone represented conquered leaders from local villages.
Another view of Los Danzantes
The gold treasures from Tomb 7 are on view at the Santo Domingo Cultural Center next to the church. They were wrought by Mixtecs who occupied Monte Alban in the late classical period.
Stelae carved with circles and rectangles — ancient vocabulary
Students participating are studying agriculture, horticulture, landscape design, business, and nutrition. Each day, they have an intensive discussion with their professors about food sourcing, fertilization, bio-diversity and cultural impact on climate change.
In the clouds at the top of Monte Alban
Zapotec rulers lived high above the agricultural valley below. Humans leveled the mountain where the elite lived. The Spanish named the place Monte Alban. When they arrived the mountain was covered in trees with white blooming flowers.
A videographer with the group will make a documentary about the experience
Students will write a paper and receive three-credit hours toward their degree program. We have one doctoral student with us, too.
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