User:Sstolte/Monte Albán

Architecture
Symmetry was not a major concern for the layout of Monte Albán plaza. Although the angles within the plaza are not perfect 90 degree corners, the plaza still givs the representation of a rectangle without actually being a rectangle. the structures are not laid out in a symmetrical fashion, as the distances between the structures vary greatly from building to building. Construction methods used for orientation changed as Monte Albán expanded. Early structures, on the western side of the plaza, are rotated south of east, while later structures align more with the cardinal directions. The exception is with the structure referred to a building “J.” This structure is located on the center line of the plaza but is rotated and does not align with the other structures. It is believed that building “J” had an astronomical relation/ significance. In design / construction of the structures earthquakes were also taken into consideration. Thick walls were often used in construction as well as sloped sides when constructing tall/larger structures.

''Kubler, G. (1962). The art and architecture of ancient America: the Mexican, Maya, and Andean peoples. Baltimore: Penguin Books.''

''Department of the Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas. “Monte Albán: Sacred Architecture.” In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/alban2/hd_alban2.htm (October 2001)''  https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/415/ 

Agriculture
Monte Albán was not just a fortress or sacred place but it was a city. The inhabitants had come from the rich agricultural land below Monte Albán and relied heavily on agriculture. This then resulted in Monte Albán becoming an agricultural center as the area that the structures occupied grew. The population would end up utilizing the valleys and land all the way up to the crest of the mountain to support the growing population.

''Field Columbian Museum. (18951905). Publication. Chicago, U.S.A.: The Museum.''

''Department of the Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas. “Monte Albán.” In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/alban/hd_alban.htm (October 2001)''