If we talk about the Zapotec culture, we must mention the Zapotec people, who were located in the southeast of Oaxaca, a region of the United Mexican States in the southwest of the country. This civilization prospered during the Precolumbian era, covering the period before the arrival of Christopher Columbus in America in 1492. Although little is known about the specific origin of this civilization, the Zapotec legacy has left important traces in areas such as writing, art and astrology.
How did the Zapotec culture emerge?
The origin of the Zapotec culture dates back more than 3.500 years, according to archaeological studies. The Zapotecs developed mainly during the 15th and 14th centuries BC. The name “Zapotec” comes from Nahuatl and means “people of the clouds”, since it was believed that its inhabitants descended from the clouds. The mention of the “people of the clouds” is due to their mythical history, in which they claimed that they had no human ancestors but that they came directly from the gods.
Its first relevant settlement was located in San Jose Mogote, one of the oldest in Oaxaca and which demonstrates the early urban development of this civilization. However, it was in The Atoyao River Valley where the Zapotecs flourished. They chose this area because of its great fertility, ideal for corn cultivation and other staples such as beans and squash.
Characteristics of the Zapotec culture
The Zapotec civilization stood out for several characteristics that place it among the main Mesoamerican cultures:
- Agricultural economics:The wealth of their lands allowed the Zapotecs to develop a remarkable economy based on agriculture. They cultivated key products such as corn, cocoa, beans and squash, in addition to developing a dynamic trade with other civilizations.
- Hieroglyphic writing:The Zapotecs were pioneers in the development of writing in Mesoamerica. Their hieroglyphic system, although not completely deciphered, was an important precursor to the systems used by the Mayans and other contemporary cultures.
- monumental architecture: Zapotec buildings, such as those in Monte Albán y mitla, stand out for their complexity and technical perfection. Monte Albán, in particular, became a crucial political-religious centre and an example of the architectural ability of the Zapotecs.
- Ritual calendars: The Zapotecs, like other Mesoamerican cultures, developed calendars based on astronomical observation. One calendar was used for celebrations and rituals, while another, more solar-based calendar was used for agricultural activities.
- Advances in irrigation: The irrigation system stands out Boil the water, where the Zapotecs managed to use natural sources of water to supply their crops and settlements.
Location of the Zapotecs
The Zapotecs centered their civilization on the Central valleys of Oaxaca, where they formed large settlements such as Monte Albán y mitlaThey managed to expand into nearby regions such as Guerrero y Puebla, and even further south, on the Isthmus of Tehuantepec.
Monte Albán It was one of the most important cities in Mesoamerica, built on a mountain in the center of the valleys. It is believed to have had between 25,000 and 30,000 inhabitants at its peak and was a key point for trade and culture. mitlaOn the other hand, it stood out for its ceremonial and religious architecture, with murals and complex geometric patterns decorating its buildings.
Language of the Zapotecs
El Zapotec belongs to the Otomanguean language family, and has been spoken for thousands of years. There are around 60 variants of this language, many of which are still spoken, mainly in Oaxaca. These variants are divided into different groups according to their geographic region: the northern, southern, central, eastern and western dialects.
The Zapotec language has been fundamental to the political and social organization of civilization, as reflected in the codices and written documents they left behind, some of which are incomprehensible to modern specialists.
Gods of Zapotec culture
The Zapotec religion was polytheistic and deeply connected with nature. Among the most important gods we find:
- Xipe totec: the creator god and ruler of everything.
- Cocijo pitao: god of rain and thunder, related to agriculture and fertility.
- pitao cozobi: god of corn, vital to ensure good harvests.
- Coqui Bezelao: god of death, who looked after souls and regulated the underworld.
- Xonaxi Quecuya: deity linked to earthquakes and destruction, demonstrating the duality between life and death.
Religious rituals included offerings and sacrifices to these gods, which were essential to strengthen their connection with the cycles of nature and agriculture.
Zapotec social organization
The Zapotec social structure was strictly hierarchical, divided into two large classes: the nobles and the rest of the population. These classes were subdivided according to the power and functions they performed within society.
- Ruling class: Headed by the Gocquitao, the supreme ruler and a religious leader, whose authority was transmitted by inheritance.
- Nobles and warriors: In charge of the defense and administration of the territory.
- Peasants and artisans: Most of the population worked in agriculture and crafts to sustain society.
- Slaves: Prisoners of war or those who had been punished for crimes.
Contributions of the Zapotec culture
The Zapotecs left an incalculable legacy in different areas:
- Writing Instruments:With one of the first hieroglyphic systems in Mesoamerica, the Zapotecs recorded important historical and religious events.
- AstronomyZapotec calendars helped predict harvest cycles and religious rites.
- Architecture: Their constructions in Monte Albán and Mitla are testimony to their advanced technology and engineering knowledge.
- Funerary art:The tombs found in Monte Albán and Mitla show a rich tradition of respect for the dead and complex religious rituals.
Today, the Zapotec people are still present in Oaxaca, preserving many of their traditions and ways of life. Their language is still spoken, and their legacy is maintained not only in the archaeological ruins but also in the living culture that continues to resonate in the descendants of this civilization.