Monte Albán: Stele 9--page 13 (of fifteen pages)





See map.

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Stele (or obelisk--it has a pointed top) in an important location

Because of this central location the stele no doubt had connections with events taking pace on the North Platform. Although it is somewhat eroded, details on the four faces, all incised, can be discerned. Below, the drawing and stele can be seen (enlarged) together by clicking on the appropriate link.

South face

Here a male figure is elaborately dressed. According to Miller, the Zapotecs wore tall headdresses with symbolic motifs, as evidenced here. The regal figure's name may be represented by the lower glyph--8 Flower.
See large views of south face with drawing and photo together.
 




East face

On this face there are two figures, one above the other, both with elaborate headdresses adorned with precious stones; they are probably priests since they carry bags of copal. The glyph by their faces represents "word."
See large views of east face with drawing and photo together.
 

North face

On this face two figures are talking; their names are over their heads. Under them glyphs may record important events in the history of the culture.
See large views of north face with drawing and photo together.
 


West face

Here an elaborately dressed priest is represented; glyphs may tell of his history.
See large views of west face with drawing and photo together.


Continue to page 14 .

Works consulted or quoted:
Andrew Coe. Archaeological Mexico. Emeryville, CA: Avalon Travel Publishing, 2001.
Michael D. Coe and Rex Koontz. Mexico: From the Olmecs to the Aztecs. Fifth Edition. London: Thames & Hudson, 2002.
Nelly M. Robles Garcia. Monte Albán: History, Art, Monuments. Mexico: Monclem Ediciones, 2004. [official guide]
INAH. Signage at the site.
Mary Ellen Miller. The Art of Mesoamerica: From Olmec to Aztec. Third Edition. London: Thames and Hudson, 2001.



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© 2009 Mary Ann Sullivan. I have photographed (on site), scanned, and manipulated all the images on these pages. Please feel free to use them for personal or educational purposes. They are not available for commercial purposes.