Scientists plan to decipher ancient Zapoteca Writing in new Mexico lab

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A team of scientists is all set to test nearly 300 engraved stones in a new laboratory in Mexico, in order to decipher the ancient Zapoteca Writing.

The laboratory will be operating at Monte Alban Archaeological Zone in Oaxaca, Mexico.

According to a report in www.artdaily.org, Nelly Robles Garcia, director of the archaeological site, remarked the importance of this laboratory since “it will promote lecture of Monte Alban stelae in terms of Prehispanic past comprehension, because Zapoteca writing has not been totally deciphered yet”.

In the ancient metropolis and Oaxaca Valley, there is a great amount of engraved stones and stelae fragments dated between 500 BC and 850 AD.

“This writing system goes back to the first stage of Monte Alban, towards 500 BC; Los Danzantes engraved stones are an example of this,” said Robles Garcia.

Tradition continued during the next period, (100BC-100AD), exemplified by Lapidas de Conquista, found in Structure J.

During Late Classic period (650-850 AD), there was an extraordinary development in writing and historical events were written in stelae.

The laboratory will warrantee that engraved stones distributed around the archaeological zone undergo detailed study, in an adequate place for their preservation and storage.

With the support of WMF, experts will be assisted by computers and digital photography equipment, precision measurement devices as well as bibliography and furniture.

“The objective is that researchers count on with specialized tools to observe engravings, this will help them draw, measure and interpret them,” said Robles Garcia.

The laboratory construction will be conducted in a nearby area to the archaeological zone, and it is expected to be functioning by 2010.

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