South of the Valley of Mexico, South of Puebla, Morelos and Guerrero States, where the 2 Big Sierra Mountain elevations of the Highland formations tie up together, you find the State of Oaxaca an area which due to its thrive and population size, got a lot of attention by the Hispanic conquerors.
Mexico Pre-Hispanic History shows that around 900BC we can find traces of the Zapotecs. The Zapotec Culture in the Mexico Pre-Hispanic History, was noted as intense city builders, with big temples and outstanding artisan pieces in pottery and precious metal creations.
Going back almost 3000 years, the State of Oaxaca in its evolution showed sixteen ethnic groups, each one with its own language. Villages were basically expanded family groups with a patriarchal form of communal authority. As the population grew, the political organization became more complex and sophisticated. Of the sixteen ethnic groups, two continued to expand in numbers and territory the Zapotecs and the Mixtecs.
In the Sierra Norte Valley and spreading south to the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, the Zapotecs, were great city builders and artisans who created notable temples, burial chambers. Zapotecs were astronomers who practiced the use of the zero, builders who leveled a mountain top to erect the ceremonial center of Monte Albán.
The Zapotec village of Teotitlán del Valle near the city of Oaxaca, is one of the oldest human settlements in México Pre-Hispanic History and is known for its delicate hand-woven wool tapestries. Other important sites built by the Zapotecs are found at Mitla, Lambityeco, Dainzu, Yagul, Zaachila and Guiéngola, all in various stages of excavation and restoration today.
The Mixtecs inhabited the northern highlands flowing over towards the Pacific portion of Oaxaca bordering with the States of Puebla and Guerrero, reaching the limits of Veracruz some 100 kilometers from the Gulf of Mexico and conveying in to the Central Valley. Mixtecs in the Mexico Pre-Hispanic History were prolific expansionists and builders, leaving behind numerous unexplored sites throughout the region.
Around 1200AD Mixtecs invaded the Central Valley of Oaxaca, conquering the other strong grown Group in this Territory, the Zapotecs and developed around Mitla and Yagul adding their influence to the sites of Monte Albán and, most notably, Mitla. They revived Monte Alban, eventhough it was only used as a burial site. By the early 1400's, the Mixtecs became subjugated by the mighty Aztec empire. These two cultures continue their existence today in the State of Oaxaca.