Archaeological Sites: Lambityeco

Description
Lambityeco is believed to be "Lambi" (still), which most certainly refers to the ovens were salted water is boiled, and "pitec" (hillocks). So therefore it is safe to say that Lambityeco is Zapoteca for "Still Hillocks".

Since there are only a few remnants of the original site, it has been deduced that Lambityeco was populated between 600 AD and 800 AC. It is assumed that this site reached its peak from 700 to 750 AC, which parallels the desertion of Monte Alban. Because of its high production of salt, Lambityeco was considered an important producer within the Zapoteca trade market.

The constructions that are found at the side of the highway, are the onlydiscoveries that have been explored in this area. It is considered to be just a very small part of this once extensive village which reached, approximately, 63.75 hectares in its day. Over 200 mounds of salt have been discovered, not counting the ones that were buried beneath the closest town: Tlacolula.

The ruins of some houses and palaces that have been explored thus far, are considered to be just a small fraction of this ancient city. The oldest palaces are presumed to have belonged to Political bosses and Priests.

Palace of the Bosses
It is set on the pyramid that is known as M-195. It has two yards that are surrounded by four chambers. In one of these yards, an altar located in the middle, features two baseboards placed on two different platforms. These baseboards represent the village leaders: A man placed in a horizontal position (upside down), with a long pointed beard and long ears. He is dressed in native attire called "maxatl" and he carries a human bone, a femur, in one of his hands.

There is a portrait of a woman placed in the same position as the man, sporting a Zapoteca hairdo, with a top knot. She wears earmuffs and necklaces with rounded jewels, dressed in a native dress called "quechquemitl".

There are two sculptures carved on the baseboard that is located on the northern platform, known as "Human face Lord 4" and "Ape Lady 10". These two are considered to be the oldest sculptures dating back to 600 -625 AC. On the southern platform's baseboard, two more sculptures named "Owl Lord 8" and "Turquoise Lady 3", can be seen. These two are calculated to date back to 625 - 650 AC.

The access way to tombstone No. 6., is located on the baseboard placed beneath the central altar. The facade displays masks that represent "Lord of tremors and earth 1" and "Lady of the falls 10". These two were the last of the Lambityeco bosses.

Palace of the Priests
It is located right behind M-195 Pyramid and on top of M-190 Pyramid. There are two sculptures carved in stucco. These sculptures feature huge images of the Zapoteca god of rain: "Cocijo". Both sculptures are identical, they feature the deity wearing a native head piece that seems to be made out of long feathers, with a gulch located in the middle. This image represents a stylized image of a jaguar. The hands of the deity seem to portray the strength and power of lightning and rain.

Lambityeco was considered a very important Zapoteca commercial trade centre, due to its riches of salt from sea and soil, named "Tequesquite".

Location
This site is located 17.40 miles southeast of Oaxaca City. One must take Federal Highway 190 headed for Istmo de Tehuantepec. This attraction is located to the side of the before mentioned, close to the 28 km. sign. Estimated traveling time: 25 min.

Archaeological Sites

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

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