Cerro de las Minas

Welcome to the archaeological wonder of Cerro de las Minas, nestled in the arid, sun-baked landscape of Wah-hah-kah. As we stand at the base of this imposing elevation, take a deep breath of the dry, crisp air. …

As we walk up the first set of earthen steps, let us delve into the identity of the people who built this city. The term Noo-een-yeh translates to 'Hot Land' in the Mixtec language, a perfectly apt description for this arid, sun…

We have now reached one of the primary residential and ceremonial terraces. Take a moment to examine the stonework around you. …

Moving slightly to the north along the ridge, we arrive at the remains of the Mesoamerican ball court. This I-shaped architectural feature is ubiquitous across ancient Mexico, but its presence here on the slope of the hill is a…

Let us walk carefully toward the eastern edge of the terrace, where archaeologists have uncovered several elite tombs. The funerary practices of the Noo-een-yeh culture are a fascinating window into their beliefs regarding the…

As we pause to catch our breath and admire the sweeping views, it is fascinating to consider the geography of names. Interestingly, the title Cerro de las Minas is not unique to this Mixtec site. …

Our final stop on the main terrace brings us to the edge of the ancient city, looking out over the modern town of Huajuapan de Leon. Around the year eight hundred, the vibrant life of this hilltop citadel began to wane. …

As we make our descent down the dusty trails of Cerro de las Minas, take one last look back at the grand terraces cutting into the hillside. We have traversed centuries of history today, exploring the profound ingenuity of the…