PXL_20250424_225230901

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 07:49:22 +0100

THE MIXTECS

The Mixtecs, as they were called by the
Mexica, called themselves Ñusabi; both
mean "People of the Clouds". The
ancestors of this group reached the region
around the year 3000 B.C. and were
hunters and gatherers, as can be seen at the
camp of Yazanu dated at 2000.B.C. As they
developed agriculture, they settled in
villages such as Yucuita and Etlatongo.

They domesticated dogs and
turkeys, and traded a range of products
such as cotton, cacao beans and cochineal,
a highly valued and indeed valuable dye
used to color cotton. The most important
cities during the Classic Period were Cerro
de las Minas, Huamelulpan, Yucuita and
Yucuñudahui.

Through trade and military strength,
the Mixtecs dominated vast regions. Skilled
in the arts, they made beautiful pottery and
carved bones with mythical scenes; they
were also the great and unequalled
metalworkers of Mesoamerica.

Despite their ethnic and cultural
unity they never achieved one single
political organization, although Lord 8 Deer
Jaguar Claw did attempt to unite them.

GOD OF THE UNDERWORLD

Vasija whose figure represents the "Lord of the world of the
dead", Yya-Dzandaya, who lived in the ninth
plot. The deity shows fleshy hands and feet,
frequent fact in his images His jointed head
has movement; in his left hand he holds a
flint knife, symbol of sacrifice and death. in his right hand he carries a staff of
command.

Provenance: Tomb 2 Zaachila.
Timeline: Late Postclassic, 1200-1521 AD.