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The residential portion of a royal palace in the Oaxaca Valley dating to 300-100 B.C.
The residential portion of a royal palace dating to 300-100 B.C. excavated at the El Palenque site near San Martín Tilcajete, Oaxaca. Oaxaca specialists argue the presence of royal palaces is one archaeological indicator of state organization. It is likely that a similar, though probably larger, palace existed at Monte Albán itself during this time period. For the time being, this is the earliest palace thus far excavated in Oaxaca. The excavation is directed by Charles Spencer and Elsa Redmond of the American Museum of Natural History with funding from the National Science Foundation.
Credit: Charles S. Spencer, AMNH, used with permission.
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