Zapotec Digs in Mexico Show Clues to Rise and Fall

National Geographic ^ | March 9, 2009 | John Roach

[SunkenCiv]

For 1,500 years, the agrarian Zapotec state spanned 800 square miles (2,000 square kilometers) and was home to at least 100,000 people. The Zapotec were pioneers in the use of agriculture and writing systems. They were gifted weavers and ceramic artisans. They built Monte Albán, one of the earliest cities in the Americas, and established a remarkably organized bureaucratic structure. But their state collapsed, and no one is exactly sure why. One place where the story of Zapotec civilization is being uncovered is 25 miles (40 kilometers) outside the city of Oaxaca, at the site of an ancient town called El Palmillo. For the past decade, U.S. archaeologists Gary Feinman and Linda Nicholas have been peeling back layers of everyday life in this pre-Hispanic center, which thrived from about A.D. 200 to 900.

[SunkenCiv]

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[Adder]

But their state collapsed, and no one is exactly sure why.

Zerocare, using their corn for ethanol, collectivism.

I’ve yet to see these mentioned.

:]

[SunkenCiv]

:’) Well, 800 sq miles is only about 28 miles on a side, which isn’t a lot.

[wildbill]

“They established a remarkably organized bureaucratic structure. But their state collapsed, and no one is exactly sure why.”

The first sentence answers the mystery. Name a remarkably organized bureaucratic state that hasn’t carried within its bureaucratic structure the seeds of its own downfall.

[pappyone]

“For the past decade, U.S. archaeologists Gary Feinman and Linda Nicholas have been peeling...”

Oh...My...God...

[SunkenCiv]

Sun’s pretty intense in Mexico...

[SunkenCiv]

That’s just a weird coincidence. ;’)