Ancient palace complex (300–100 BC) discovered in the Valley of Oaxaca, Mexico

Abstract

Significance The emergence of the earliest states is a major research problem in anthropology. A key archaeological manifestation of states is the royal palace. Excavations at the site of El Palenque have recovered the oldest-known palace in the Valley of Oaxaca, Mexico. The palace displays similarities to the royal palaces of historically documented Mesoamerican states. It was a multifunctional palace, composed of courts and buildings where government officials assembled to conduct state affairs, as well as the ruler's residential quarters. We propose that the palace complex was built in a single large-scale construction effort. A series of radiocarbon dates indicates that the El Palenque palace complex was in use during the 300–100 BC period of archaic state emergence in Oaxaca.

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