Monte Alban was a classic era city and the earliest one founded by the Zapotec people at around 500 BC. The city grew in size and continued to be the most important Zapotec center until it's demise in the 8th century AD. The cities abandonment coincides with may other western mexican states in the late classic period. Within the city fifteen residential neighborhoods have been found all with a central plazas and altars. The main plaza shown here was the religous and ciltural center were the ruling clan resided. Some twenty step pyramids can be found and two massive platforms top the plaza from end to end.