Zapotec

Zapotec refers to a native people of Mexico, their language, and their historic culture and traditions.

The Zapotec people are centered in Oaxaca, to the south of central Mexico. In Pre-Columbian times they were one of the Mesoamerican civilizations. Archeological evidence shows their culture goes back some 2500 years. They left archaelogical evidence at the earlier and impressive ancient city of Monte Albán; in the form of a magnificent tomb and grave goods including finely worked gold jewellery. In the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan, there were Zapotec and Mixtec artisans living in the city whose role it was to fashion jewellery for the Aztec Tlatoanis, or rulers. These included the famous Motecuhzoma II. Other important Pre-Columbian Zapotec sites include Lambityeco, Yagul, and Zaachila.

The most famous Zapotec person in modern times was Benito Juárez, generally regarded as Mexico's greatest President.

There are over 400,000 Zapotec people living in Mexico today.

External link

• Zapotec Culture (http://zapotec.agron.iastate.edu/cultura.html) (in English and Spanish)

de:Zapoteken

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