Archaeological Sites: Yagul

Description
There is evidence that proves the presence of human settlers in Yagul, dating as far back as the times of Monte Alban I (1,500 AD). Its peak was reached according to the decadence of Monte Alban (800 AD). Soon after it was briefly deserted, Yagul flourished again, becoming an independent city-nation, located in the Oaxaca Valley. From then on, Yagul would prevail until the arrival of the Spanish.

An extremely important Pre-Hispanic centre, Yagul means "Old Tree" in Zapoteco. One of its most imposing monuments is the Ball court, the largest in the State of Oaxaca and second largest in all of Meso-America.

The village was built around a hill, divided in the three following areas:

Fortress Area
This area is located on top of the hill, protected by a powerful natural watchtower and artificial walls. The panoramic view this area offers, is truly amazing.

Common housing Area
These buildings are located all around the hill, although they haven't been thoroughly researched yet.

Ceremonial Centre Area
Located in the basement of the hill, this area is remarkable, because of its intact integrity. It was the site for Yagul's administrative and religious constructions, a large platform comprised by a group of buildings that feature a central yard, surrounded by columns and rectangular chambers. These platforms and their respective buildings were built in stone and joined in mortars. The floors, carved in mortar, still display remnants of red paint. It is probable that they were originally covered by small rooftops, layered in iron, stone and lacquer. The following are the buildings that form this site:

The Yard of the Triple Tombstone
This site is composed by a central yard and four adjoining chambers. There is a worshipping site and a zoomorphic monolith featured in the central yard.

Below the western chambers, there are three more funeral chambers. The main chamber is decorated with stone-bas relieved frets and it displays two monolithic human heads on the ledge. The door to this tombstone is a stone slab that features hieroglyphic motifs, to both sides.

Ball Court
Considered as the largest in all of the Oaxaca Valley's archaeological zones,and second largest in all of Meso America, this court is shaped like an "I" or double "T". There is a ball spinning bouncer (a disc carved in stone) located in the middle of the court. To the sides, the court features sloped structures.

Yard 1
It is composed by a central yard chambers. It is due to this large group of yards, that this palace is considered as to be the largest located in any of the Oaxaca Valley archaeological zones. Street of Frets. This site is composed by the palace's southern wall, by the six yards and the Council Chamber. The walls are covered with the remains of tablets, which are decorated in fretwork, similar to the ones found in Mitla.

Location
This site is 22.37 miles southeast of Oaxaca City, on Federal Highway 190, headed for Istmo de Tehuantepec. As soon as you get past a small town called Tlacolula de Matamoros (500 m. down the road), take a left, after the next 1.24 miles, approximately. Estimated traveling time: 50 min. Localization Yagul is located 22 miles (36 kilometers) Southeast of the City of Oaxaca via highway 190 to the Isthmus. After passing the Tlacolula de Matamoros town (½ mile, 500 meters ahead) make a left turn, and continue for approximately one mile (2 kilometers). Approximate travel time: [0:50].

Archaeological Sites

Dainzú	Guiengola	Huamelulpan
Huijazoo	Lambityeco	Mitla
Monte Albán	Nopala	San José el Mogote
Tututepec	Yagul	Yucuita
	Zaachila

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