The Tlacolula Valley (Bautista Hernandez et al. 2002)
1:50,000 Map of Dainzú-Macuilxóchitl area (INEGI 2001)
The site of Dainzú-Macuilxóchitl is located in the Tlacolula arm of the Oaxaca Valley, some 20 km to the east of Oaxaca City (map at left). It is a large disperse site that has evidence for occupation as early as the Rosario ceramic phase (500-700 BC). It is surrounded by several hills as you can see from the INEGI topographic map below. Data from the initial area survey conducted by Ignacio Bernal and the regional settlement pattern survey conducted by Kowalewski et al. (1989) suggest that Dainzú was part of a larger complex that includes the modern day towns of Tlacochahuaya and Teotitlan del Valle. Several carved stones have been catalogged from these towns as well as the archaeological zone itself, most having something to do with an early version of the Mesoamerican ballgame.
The first archaeologist to work in the Dainzú-Macuilxóchitl area was Ignacio Bernal, who ran an INAH project in the 1960s that focused on the area that is now marked as the Dainzú archaeological zone. He and Arturo Oliveros took part in excavations and reconstruction projects focused on the terraces found at the base of Cerro Dainzú. They found a large structure (building A) at the highest level that appeared to have a ceremonial or religious function. One of its walls was covered with low relief carved stones that depicted men in jaguar outfits, or with feline characteristics. These figures were believed to be associated with a version of the Mesoamerican Ballgame, and at least one ballcourt has been excavated at the site.
These are some of the earliest images of the ball game that can be found in Mesomerica. Accounts written by the Spanish invaders as well as indigenous sources about the ball game that was being played at the time of the Spanish conquest appear to suggest quite a different game than the one depicted on the stones as Dainzú. In the later versions, the game was played in an I
shaped court and the participants did not use their hands, rather they used their hips in order to bounce a rubber ball through a large stone hoop. At Dainzú, the players are wearing protective equipment including helmets and they are depicted holding the ball in their hands. Also, the courts may not have been I
shaped, as the one shown below, which most likely was constructed in the Postclassic period. In fact, Ignacio Bernal believed that the structures excavated under building B in its earliest construction period may have been ballcourts. Javier Urcid suggests that the structure found at the summit of Cerro Dainzú may have been an early ball court.
Map of Macuilxóchitl from the Relaciones Geografícas of 1580 (Acuña 1982)
Partially Reconstructed Ballcourt at Dainzú
Just below building A to the west, one finds building B, which seems to have been part of a palace complex for an elite family or ruler. The excavation team found several layers of construction episodes in the palace complex buildings, and has left the lower levels exposed so that visitors can actually get a feel for the changes made in the buildings. In addition to these structures, several looted tombs were found. One of the tombs has a low relief carving of a crouching jaguar on its lintel and doorway slabs. Building C was found just south of Building B, and is part of the palace complex. In this building, several carved stones were recovered. For different interpretations of the carved stones found in the area refer to:
The Ballplayers of Dainzú 1979 Book by Bernal and Seuffert
Otra Narrativa de Jugadores de Pelota en Dainzú
by Javier Urcid
Power Games in the Lare Formative Valley of Oaxaca: The Ballplayer Carvings at Dainzú
Doctoral Thesis by Heather Orr, University of Texas