Mexican jewelry from Montealban, Oaxaca. Earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings.

<body bgcolor="#F4F4EA" text="#396310" link="#396310" vlink="#396310" alink="#396310"> <table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td><table width="90%" border="0" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="0" align="left"> <tr> <td>Mexican jewelry collections include earrings, necklaces, bracelets, broaches, rings, among others; which are made by Mexican goldsmiths craftsmen, who demonstrate with their crafts how the traditional jewelry design of the Pre-Columbian civilizations</td> </tr> <tr> <td><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="4" color="#96AB7D"><img src="img/all/templ/bullet1.jpg" width="9" height="15">Shipment</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <div align="justify"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Orders are shipped within 7-10 business days from the time your order is received, and all the shipments are insured.<br> In the event of a delay, you will be contacted.<br> When your package is shipped we will email you the shipping date and the tracking number.<br> <br> NOTE: Deliveries cannot be made to P.O. Boxes.<br> <br> We offer the following shipping options within the US:</font></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td width="50"> </td> <td><img src="img/all/templ/bullet2.jpg" width="6" height="13"></td> <td nowrap><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">UPS - Standard Ground $6.00 USD</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td> </td> <td><img src="img/all/templ/bullet2.jpg" width="6" height="13"></td> <td><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">UPS - Second Day Air $12.00 USD</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td> </td> <td><img src="img/all/templ/bullet2.jpg" width="6" height="13"></td> <td><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">UPS - Next Day Air $18.00 USD</font></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <div align="justify"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"> For shipments outside the US we will provide you shipping charges via email and request your approval before we process any order. All duties and fees are the responsibility of the addressee. </font></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="4" color="#96AB7D"><img src="img/all/templ/bullet1.jpg" width="9" height="15">Return Policy</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <div align="justify"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Inspect the merchandise upon delivery and notify us immediately of any damage.<br> <br> Due to the nature of the merchandise, a sales receipt and a return authorization from our Costumer Service Department must accompany all returns. If you need to request a return authorization, call our Customer Service Department within 10 days of delivery at 1888 299-3318 or (210) 928-1988, Mon-Fri or email us at customer@orodemontealban.com .<br> <br> We cannot refund shipping and handling charges.</font></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="4" color="#96AB7D"><img src="img/all/templ/bullet1.jpg" width="9" height="15">Payment by Credit Card</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <div align="justify"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">We accept American Express, Visa and Mastercard.<br> To protect our customers, we only ship credit card orders to the name and address the credit card was issued to.</font></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="4" color="#96AB7D"><img src="img/all/templ/bullet1.jpg" width="9" height="15">Taxes</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <div align="justify"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">We collect 7.875 % state sales tax when shipping to the state of Texas.</font></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="4" color="#96AB7D"><img src="img/all/templ/bullet1.jpg" width="9" height="15">Security & Privacy of Information</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <div align="justify"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Shopping with ORO DE MONTE ALBAN is absolutely safe. When you place an order in our on-line store you can feel confident that your personal and credit card information is encrypted and stored in our secure server.<br> All your ordering information will be used to process your purchase and only be accessed by ORO DE MONTE ALBAN. We do not share our customer's information with third parties.</font></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="4" color="#96AB7D"><img src="img/all/templ/bullet1.jpg" width="9" height="15">Our Costumer Service</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <div align="justify"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">In ORO DE MONTE ALBAN your complete satisfaction is our goal. Feel free to contact our Costumer Service Department for further information about our products and services. Call 1-888 299-3318 or (210) 928-1988. Also, if you need help or have comments you may email us at info@orodemontealban.com.</font></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="4" color="#96AB7D"><img src="img/all/templ/bullet1.jpg" width="9" height="15">Guarantee and Certificate of Authenticity</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <div align="justify"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">ORO DE MONTE ALBAN guarantees that each one of the pieces handcrafted by our artisans fulfills the NOM-033-SCFI-1994 established by the Mexican Ministry of Commerce (SECOFI) for the 14k gold jewelry. Our company, also meets the international requirements in the production of gold jewelry, determined by AMAGOLD, and each one of our jewelry pieces is stamped with our identification number 043 (registered with SECOFI). Moreover, it is important to point out, that the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) have properly authorized all the replicas in our catalog.</font></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="4" color="#96AB7D"><img src="img/all/templ/bullet1.jpg" width="9" height="15">Catalog</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <div align="justify"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">If you want to receive our printed catalog with all our jewelry lines, email us at info@orodemontealban.com and we will send it to your home or office.</font></div></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td><table width="90%" border="0" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="0" align="left"> <tr> <td><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="4" color="#96AB7D"><img src="img/all/templ/bullet1.jpg" width="9" height="15">Company´s History</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td valign="top"> <div align="justify"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">In 1947, Mrs. Rosa Quevedo, along with her daughter Tere Calvo, started a family business in Oaxaca opening the first jewelry shop in town. At that time, it was common to find jewelry at the finest drugstore or clothing store, but there was not a specialized shop for jewelry in Oaxaca.</font></div></td> <td width="15"> </td> <td align="right" valign="top"><img src="img/all/sec_3/hist1.jpg" width="200" height="150"></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top"><img src="img/all/sec_3/hist2.jpg" width="150" height="225"></td> <td width="15"> </td> <td valign="top"> <div align="justify"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">The store was named "Joyería Rosita." Mrs. Quevedo and Mrs. Calvo had a strong entrepreneur spirit, and decided to also open a small jewelry workshop, where they started to develop gold filigree pieces and original designs with gold and silver. The beauty of the designs and the quality of the handcrafted work was widely appreciated in Oaxaca and initiated the reputation that ORO DE MONTE ALBAN has today.<br> <br> Once the store was well established in later years, Mrs. Quevedo and Mrs. Calvo decided to show the pride they had for traditions of the Zapotec and Mixtec Civilizations. </font></div></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top"><div align="justify"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">They researched information about the jewels found in a major discovery, made by the Mexican Archeologist Alfonso Caso, at the archeological site of Monte Alban, in Oaxaca on January 6th, 1932. Mr. Caso had discovered a Mixtec-Zapotec Tomb, named "Tomb No. 7", with a treasure of jewelry and ceramic pieces as an offering to the Priest buried there. </font></div></td> <td width="15"> </td> <td valign="top"> <div align="justify"><img src="img/all/sec_3/hist3.jpg" width="200" height="133"></div></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td><div align="justify"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">n 1985, Mrs. Quevedo and Mrs. Calvo, obtained the authorization of the National Institute of Anthropology and History of Mexico, to reproduce the Pre-Columbian Jewelry and started hiring experienced craftsmen to do this remarkable work.</font></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top"><img src="img/all/sec_3/hist4.jpg" width="200" height="133"></td> <td width="15"> </td> <td width="200" valign="top"><img src="img/all/sec_3/hist5.jpg" width="200" height="133"></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <div align="justify"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"> Also in this year, Mrs. Tere Calvo, with her two sons and daughter in law, decided to create ORO DE MONTE ALBAN. Now, this proud Oaxacan company, has become an international showcase of the handcrafted jewelry of our ancient civilizations.</font></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top"><img src="img/all/sec_3/hist6.jpg" width="200" height="133"></td> <td width="15"> </td> <td width="200" valign="top"><img src="img/all/sec_3/hist7.jpg" width="200" height="134"></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="4" color="#96AB7D"><img src="img/all/templ/bullet1.jpg" width="9" height="15">Our Mission </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <div align="justify"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">ORO DE MONTE ALBAN is dedicated to create excellent quality replicas of the masterpiece jewels made in silver and gold by our Mixtec and Zapotec ancestors using ancient techniques. Our ancestors made these jewels to venerate their Gods. Nowadays, we elaborate these jewels to show the world our cultural heritage and the art of the Mixtec and Zapotec cultures. All our products are high-quality jewels made by our craftsmen in our workshops in Oaxaca.</font></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="4" color="#96AB7D"><img src="img/all/templ/bullet1.jpg" width="9" height="15">Oro de Montealban Logo</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top"><img src="img/all/sec_3/histlogo.jpg" width="108" height="108"></td> <td width="15"> </td> <td> <div align="justify"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Local artist Héctor Jara designed our logo.<br> He combined three elements commonly used in the Mixtec and Zapotec Cultures:<br> The "Gold" Sign from the Zapotec Culture.<br> The "Precious" Sign from the Mixtec Culture.<br> The false Filigree from the "Chimally Shield", a Mixtec Jewel.<br> The logo reflects our company's philosophy: "We have survived through time working with precious gold in a very sensitive way."</font></div></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="4" color="#96AB7D"><img src="img/all/templ/bullet1.jpg" width="9" height="15">Oro de Montealban Elaboration Process</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top"><div align="justify"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">To follow the same principles as our ancestors, we use the technique called "Lost Wax Casting Process" to make our jewelry pieces. In this technique, one, or several wax layers, are fastened to a conical wax sprue inside a metal flask. </font></div></td> <td width="15"> </td> <td valign="top"> <div align="justify"><img src="img/all/sec_3/taller1.jpg" width="200" height="122"></div></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top"><img src="img/all/sec_3/taller2.jpg" width="200" height="150"></td> <td width="15"> </td> <td valign="top"> <div align="justify"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">The metal flask is then covered by a heat resisting plaster called investment. Once the investment is dried, the flask is heated inside an oven to a temperature of 1300° F. Due to the temperature, the wax is "lost" or "burned out." The investment then keeps the shape of the wax.</font></div></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top"><img src="img/all/sec_3/taller3.jpg" width="200" height="150"></td> <td width="15"> </td> <td valign="top"> <div align="justify"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">The gold is heated inside a crucible, by a torch at a temperature of 1655° F. The investment is then filled with the molten gold by centrifugal force. Once the basic jewel is casted, it is decorated and polished by the hands of our expert craftsmen. </font></div></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td><div align="justify"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">If you are ever in Oaxaca, you can visit our workshops and see by yourself, how the "Lost Wax" technique works.</font></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top"><img src="img/all/sec_3/taller4.jpg" width="200" height="150"></td> <td width="15"> </td> <td width="200" valign="top"><img src="img/all/sec_3/taller5.jpg" width="200" height="150"></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <div align="justify"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"> Ask for more information about our workshop tours at info@orodemontealban.com.</font></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="4" color="#96AB7D"><img src="img/all/templ/bullet1.jpg" width="9" height="15">Shop Videos</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td width="50"> </td> <td align="center" valign="top"><img src="img/all/templ/bullet2.jpg" width="6" height="13"></td> <td><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"><a href="javascript:openPag1()">Click here for Part 1 of the Video</a><br> 6 MB</font></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td width="50"> </td> <td align="center" valign="top"><img src="img/all/templ/bullet2.jpg" width="6" height="13"></td> <td><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"><a href="javascript:openPag2()">Click here for Part 2 of the Video</a><br> 6 MB</font></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="4" color="#96AB7D"><img src="img/all/templ/bullet1.jpg" width="9" height="15">USA Office </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td width="50"> </td> <td align="center" valign="top"><img src="img/all/templ/bullet2.jpg" width="6" height="13"></td> <td><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">8603 Crownhill, suite 8<br> San Antonio, Texas 78209<br> Ph. 1.210.928.1988 <br> Fax 1.210.832.9252</font></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td><table width="90%" border="0" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="0" align="left"> <tr> <td colspan="2"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="4" color="#96AB7D"><img src="img/all/templ/bullet1.jpg" width="9" height="15">Articles</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><div align="justify"><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> The following articles are published as received by ORO DE MONTE ALBAN under authorization of the authors, the studies and investigations were made by the authors who assumes all the responsibilities, if you wish to copy whole or part of an article we encourage to request permission from the author.</font></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><a name="art1"></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="10"> </td> <td><font color="#96AB7D" size="4" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><img src="img/all/templ/bullet1.jpg" width="9" height="15">Comparing masks</font><font color="#96AB7D" size="4" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td>  </td> <td><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td align="center" valign="top"><img src="img/all/templ/bullet2.jpg" width="6" height="13"></td> <td><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> By George A. Horton </font></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p align="justify"> </p></td> <td><div align="justify"><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">My work here, is to make a comparison of two very importante Amerindian shamanic art pieces. The first, is the Charles Willoughby mask, a incised drawing on a bone, excavated from the Hopewell site, Ross Co. Ohio 1891. The second mask, is the folden breastplate mask excavated by Professor Alfonso Caso in Oaxaca, Mexico 1932. My hope and goal is to show that there could be a possible link between these two masks. I feel it is very possible, they depict the same deity of the Western Underworld, a deity that is still very much a part of traditional contemporary Woodland religion (Wm Jones Ethnography of the Fox Indians). Some Mesoamerican Indian religions, also have a deity of the western spirit world. I will start, with the background of these two very unique pieces.</font></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><div align="center"><img src="img/all/sec_5/mask1.jpg" width="300" height="233"></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td><div align="justify"></div></td> <td><div align="justify"><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Charles Willoughby, was a Amateur Archaeologist who rose to the position of Director of the Peabody Museum of Harvard. While he was excavating a major mound and earthwork complex, he found a small round incised bone with carving (a possible femur). The drawing on the bones was that of an elaborate mask. (Greber and Ruhl The Hopewell Site) This mask drawing, came from a rich ceremonial Hopewell cultural site dating around 200 BC to 400 AD. The Hopewell Culture, was the Golden Age of the Woodland Indians, with vast trade networks and exotic art (John Carlson-Hopewell) “The Hopewell, unlocked the secrets of geometry, developed a sophisticated system of measurement, and even came to undestand the great cycles of the Sun and the Moon” (Wm Romain Mysteries of the Hopewell 2000) Willoughby, placed much time and effort to decode the mask. In his words “combinations can be made from this ingenious design, but I have only reproduced the heads and faces which were evidently in the primitive artists mind when he executed this remarkable carving. The meaning of this figure may never be interpreted.” The second mask, was excavated by Professor Alfonso Caso, at the ruins of Monte Alban, Oaxaca, Mexico. The Professor, worked his way though stucco floors and vault stones to the Tomb named number seven. He was thrilled to find what National Geographic 1932 called, “The riches find of the Americas”. The tomb yielded a wealth of beautiful objects of bone, gold and silver. But of greater importance, it gave us a greater understanding and appreciation of Prehistoric Mesoamerican civilization. Caso like Willoughby, worked hard for the interpretation, Caso could see that a Mixteca leader had been placed to rest in a much older Zapoteca tomb. Lets start the comparison of these two masks placed side by side. I feel the top part of both masks represents Sunrises at the different times of the year, also I see the masks, as being directional, horizontal and Sun oriented, top east, right south, left north and the bottom west. This would make the top center of each mask the time of the Spring and Fall Equinoxes Sunrise and the bottom of each mask the equinoctial set. On the Hopewell mask, we see a centered Sun between the four humps representing major rise points. On the mixteca we see, two large concentric circles (three ring) being the sign of the Sun and shaman travel in pictograph rock art. (Alex Patterson Rock Art Symbols 1992) The gage, we see reaching out, to the far range of the summer solstice and winter solstice, on both masks, are antlers in different stages of development, It should be noted that two copper head pieces in antler form were found at the Hopewell site, one a full rack (Fall) and the other in young buttom form (Spring). The symbolism here might place the mask late into prehistoric woodland culture, in Mexico today the Huichol still compare maize growth with antler growth. (Schaffer and Furst People of the Peyote) From here, we will drop to what some folks see as large ears or half circle draped over the head of the masks. The studies and work, on the fold mask shows this to be the very common symbol of the Mesoamerican double headed serpent of fertility. By the general shape, of the drooping Hopewell head piece, these could be very well be heads of serpents. Next we well drop to the central half skull face, it should be noted that on the both masks at the area of the forehead there what seems to a be protruding bird beak visor, maybe to protect and shade the face.</font></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><div align="center"><img src="img/all/sec_5/mask2.jpg" width="300" height="261"></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p align="justify"> </p></td> <td><div align="justify"><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Both masks, have much diving bird or Earth Diver symbolism, which in turn also points toward shamanism and transcendence. I would like to cover bird symbolism one mask at a time. On the Hopewell piece, we see the nose on the face has been replaced by a bill of the Spoonbill Rosette. The Hopewell placed most revered status on this bird, we find its image on hopewell funerary art. With cosmic psychic imaging (my best guess), these early people saw a very special bird that could change its reddish pink color (shrimp intake) and was blessed with a Sun shaped bill that goes down deep into the murky depths of the under world. This leads us back to Monte Alban and the funerary art of tomb seven. Over and over, one of the central themes of the burial jewelry and also bone carving was the diving eagle or sunset to the western underworld. According to Prof. Caso the falling eagle represents “The Evening Sun”. We see a diving bird pendant, on the tomb 7 mask, appearing to be falling into a opening, maybe a opening to the underworld. Much clearer on the Hopewell mask bottom drawing, we have a line and a separate space with two ovals. This interpretation is very easy for someone who collects ans studies Huichol yarn paintings. The bottom lined off area in these paintings is most often shown with two eyes. The meaning here is the shaman traveling and seeing into the underworld. The glyph script on the gold mask shows two ways of showing a very important date in time. To me, this could show two groups of people coming together, and agreeing on a calendar date and letting time, not politics, carry on. Look at our current calendar, covered with Gods, Planets and Rulers, Thor, Mars and Augustus, Thursday, March and August. We have covered the two masks, from top to bottom, leaving out the central face and identity or this Lord of the Underworld. Before the Euro conquest I believe there was a high order of Astronomer Priests with high intellect, and a interwoven common belief system. I would like to show that this group of sky watchers shared and linked their knowledge, from what is now the length of North America. I believe a remnant of this old order still is in place today, this may be present today in Amerindian religious beliefs and art symbolism. In many indigenous North American native religions a deity appears in the western land of the spirit world. His half alive, half death appearance with his home in the underworld brings a vision of the devil. This would be far from the truth, in tribal groups he is seen as a gentle and caring keeper of the bones, a friend who helps the Sun on its perilous journey across the underworld to its new birth at sunrise. I have had some success, with Equinoctial astronomical alignment of the prehistoric woodland mounds her in Iowa. This in the Woodland world is when the “Sun goes in a straight line from its eastern lodge to the western lodge of the dead” (Wm Jones). On the Suns journey, the spirits of the dead are collected. On both masks, the centeres dity, is Equinoctial between the two solstice Suns, and his dual role of Lord of Life and Death, coming in Spring bring rebirth, planting, life and light and the Fall the opposite. Who was buried in tomb number seven, probably a high ranking Mixtec astronomer priest who greatly identified with the Western deity of the Sunset. Prof. Horst Hartung Univ. of Guadalajara, his work on Astronomical Mixtec knowledge is a mus for the serious student. Dr. Terry Stockers new book (A walk through an Aztec Dream 2002) at last shows us the importance of the direction West and the feelings of a Sun worshiper at sun down. At the Monte Alban site, tomb numer 7 is the farthest west temple mound and from the west side of mound J a carved stone slab with a diving priest or deity. The diety of the Western underworld, went by many different names I will share a few of these. Axtec – Mictlantecuhtli Potawatomi – Chibiabos Fox – Teipaiyaposw. My conclusion is, much more research should be done for the “Riches find of the Americas” (National Geographic). I would like to see the turquoise incrusted skull from tomb number seven matched with the face of the golden mask. The 30 plus bone carvings are some of the finest art work ever done, these should be reproduces, cast for art and study. My name is Geo Horton, I work on the Union Pacific railroad, my current job is with the 9001 Navajo rail gang. I’m a ex Marine 1961-64, former VISA worker, I studied and excavated in Tula, Mexico 1972. I have been a long time member of the Iowa Archeological Society. Was honored to attend the Hopewell 2000 Conference, put on by the Center for American Archeology.</font></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><div align="center"><img src="img/all/sec_5/mask3.jpg" width="350" height="160"></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td><div align="justify"></div></td> <td><div align="justify"><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">I live in Vining, Iowa near the traditional Fox Indians. My work here, is for a great Fox shaman and friend Leo Keahna. He was respected, from the Northern Cree near the Artic Circle to the Southern Kickapoo deep into Mexico. We lost Leo, on the Equinox 1997. Special Thanks, to my friend Alberto and ORO DE MONTEALBAN, for the interest in my work. G</font></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><a name="art2"></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td> </td> <td><img src="img/all/templ/bullet1.jpg" width="9" height="15"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="4" color="#96AB7D">Engendering Tomb7 at Montealban. Respinning an Old Yarn</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td>  </td> <td><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td align="center" valign="top"><img src="img/all/templ/bullet2.jpg" width="6" height="13"></td> <td><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> By Sharisse D. McCafferty and George G. McCafferty</font> <font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br> </font><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">  </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" valign="top"> </td> <td><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="maskarticle.pdf" target="_blank">You can download this article clicking here </a> maskarticle.pdf <br> </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" valign="top"> </td> <td><a href="ing/sec_5/acrobat%20reader%20405.exe"><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Download Adobe Acrobat Reader<br> <img src="img/all/sec_5/acrobat.gif" width="85" height="30" border="0"> </font></a></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="4" color="#96AB7D"><img src="img/all/templ/bullet1.jpg" width="9" height="15">Books</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td>  </td> <td><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td align="center" valign="top"><img src="img/all/templ/bullet2.jpg" width="6" height="13"></td> <td><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Bovin, Murray. <br> Centrifugal or Lost Wax Jewelry Casting. <br> USA: Bovin Publishing, 1971.</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" valign="top"> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" valign="top"><img src="img/all/templ/bullet2.jpg" width="6" height="13"></td> <td><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Caso, Alfonso. <br> El Tesoro de Monte Albán. <br> México: Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia, 1969.</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" valign="top"> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" valign="top"><img src="img/all/templ/bullet2.jpg" width="6" height="13"></td> <td><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Caso, Alfonso. <br> Lapidaria y Orfebrería en Oaxaca. <br> México: Casa de la Cultura Oaxaqueña, 1990.</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" valign="top"> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" valign="top"><img src="img/all/templ/bullet2.jpg" width="6" height="13"></td> <td><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Choate, Sharr. <br> Creative Casting. <br> New York: Crown Publishers Inc, 1996.</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" valign="top"> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" valign="top"><img src="img/all/templ/bullet2.jpg" width="6" height="13"></td> <td><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Davis, Mary L. & Pack, Greta. <br> Mexican Jewelry. <br> USA: University of Texas Press at Austin, 1963.</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" valign="top"> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" valign="top"><img src="img/all/templ/bullet2.jpg" width="6" height="13"></td> <td><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Harvey, Marian. <br> Mexican Crafts and Craftspeople. <br> USA: The Art Alliance Press, 1987.</font></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="4" color="#96AB7D"><img src="img/all/templ/bullet1.jpg" width="9" height="15">Webpages </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td>  </td> <td><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td align="center" valign="top"><img src="img/all/templ/bullet2.jpg" width="6" height="13"></td> <td> <div align="justify"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Mexican Archeology<br> <a href="http://www.arqueomex.com/" target="_blank">www.arqueomex.com</a></font></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" valign="top"> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" valign="top"><img src="img/all/templ/bullet2.jpg" width="6" height="13"></td> <td> <div align="justify"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Mexico´s Arts and jewelry.<br> <a href="http://www.artesdemexico.com" target="_blank"> www.artesdemexico.com</a></font></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" valign="top"> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" valign="top"><img src="img/all/templ/bullet2.jpg" width="6" height="13"></td> <td> <div align="justify"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Archeology Site of Monte Alban <br> <a href="http://www.montealban.org.mx/" target="_blank"> www.montealban.org.mx</a></font></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" valign="top"> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" valign="top"><img src="img/all/templ/bullet2.jpg" width="6" height="13"></td> <td> <div align="justify"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">An Official Publication of the Archaeological Institute of America <a href="http://www.archaeology.org" target="_blank"></a><br> <a href="http://www.archaeology.org" target="_blank">www.archaeology.org</a> </font></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" valign="top"> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" valign="top"><img src="img/all/templ/bullet2.jpg" width="6" height="13"></td> <td> <div align="justify"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Oaxaca´s Official Web Page. <br> <a href="http://www.oaxaca.gob.mx/" target="_blank">www.oaxaca.gob.mx</a></font></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" valign="top"> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" valign="top"><img src="img/all/templ/bullet2.jpg" width="6" height="13"></td> <td> <div align="justify"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">World Gold Council. <br> <a href="http://www.gold.com" target="_blank">www.gold.com</a></font></div></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td><table width="90%" border="0" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="0" align="left"> <tr> <td><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="4" color="#96AB7D"><img src="img/all/templ/bullet1.jpg" width="9" height="15">Oaxaca</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div align="justify"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">The state of Oaxaca is located in the southeast part of Mexico. It is bordered to the north by Puebla and Veracruz, to the east by Chiapas and to the west by Guerrero. The name of the state, comes from the náhuatl "Huaxyacac" that means "In the Nose of the Guajes." Oaxaca's surface covers 95,364 kilometers and is considered the fifth largest state of the country in term of size, and has nearly 3.3 million inhabitants.</font></div></td> <td align="right" valign="top" width="265"><img src="img/all/sec_6/oaxaca.jpg" width="250" height="165"></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td width="265" align="left" valign="top"> <div align="justify"><img src="img/all/sec_6/oaxaca3.jpg" width="250" height="165"></div></td> <td align="right" valign="top"> <div align="justify"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Oaxaca is one of the most diverse states of Mexico. It has a wide variety of landscapes - beautiful beaches, forest, high summits and extensive valleys, jewelry- as well as an impressive cultural mixture. More than fourteen different ethnic groups and cultures, including Zapotecs and Mixtecs, compose Oaxaca's cultural diversity. Oaxaca's customs and Pre-Columbian past have passed on from generation to generation and you can find them manifested in the culture and gastronomy of the state. In Oaxaca you can enjoy delicious dishes such as the "Seven Moles," the "Quesillo," the "Chocolate-Atole," the "Café de Olla," among many other dishes.</font></div></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div align="justify"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">During the colonial time, Oaxaca occupied an important place inside the organization of the "New Spain" thanks to its trade and to different religious associations that settled down in this part of Mexico. As an example, the "Dominicos" built imposing temples in this area like the "Temple of Santo Domingo" in order to christen the native people of Oaxaca. </font></div></td> <td align="right" valign="top" width="265"><img src="img/all/sec_6/oaxaca4.jpg" width="250" height="165"></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td><div align="justify"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Today Oaxaca offers tourist and cultural attractions besides it's worldwide famous hand-made crafts, gastronomy, and regional parties. </font></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <div align="justify"> <table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div align="justify"><img src="img/all/sec_6/oaxaca2.jpg" width="165" height="250"></div></td> <td align="right" valign="top"><div align="right"><img src="img/all/sec_6/oaxaca5.jpg" width="250" height="165"></div></td> </tr> </table> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"> </font></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="4" color="#96AB7D"><img src="img/all/templ/bullet1.jpg" width="9" height="15">Monte Alban</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td width="265" align="left" valign="top"><img src="img/all/sec_6/montealban.jpg" width="250" height="165"></td> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div align="justify"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">The archaeological site of Monte Alban is located in the northeast part of the Valley of Oaxaca and is cradled by the hills Monte Alban, The Rooster and Atzompa. Tha Zapotecs built Monte Alban as the capital city of their empire. According to the National Institute of Anthropology and History, "it was the most important Pre-Columbian city in the Southeast of Mexico, since it lead the political, social and economic life of the region of Oaxaca through a complicated tributary system based on a religious domain and a powerful army jewelry."</font></div></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div align="justify"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Monte Alban was founded around the year 700 B.C. and quickly became an important religious and cultural center. As an example, inside the "Monument of the Dancers" was found one of the first writing samples of the region. Some archeologists suggest that by the year 200 B.C. this city had a population of about 30,000.<br> <br> </font></div></td> <td width="180" align="right" valign="middle"><img src="img/all/sec_6/montealban2.jpg" width="165" height="250"></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td width="265" align="left" valign="top"><img src="img/all/sec_6/montealban3.jpg" width="250" height="165"></td> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div align="justify"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">It is believed that the biggest development in the city took place between the years 250 and 750 A.D. once the city was finished and, with the collapse of Teotihuacan, the Zapotec government system was strengthened. Around the year 750 A.D. the population started to abandon the city because of the ecological depletion caused in the area, and the high taxes that the Zapotec government requested.</font></div></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div align="justify"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">The decline of the Zapotec culture was followed by the appearance of the Mixtec Culture. This culture also considered Monte Alban a sacred city. They used Monte Alban as a religious city and this is shown in the "Tomb 7" discovered by Mr. Alfonso Caso on January 9, 1932. In this tomb, Mr. Caso found offerings to the Mixtecs' gods and priests, and today these are considered the "Treasure of Monte Alban." The archaeological studies of the area divide the history of Monte Alban in five phases:<br>   I. Foundation 500-200 B.C. <br>   II. Period Pre-classic 100 B.C. -100 A.D. <br>   III. Classic period 200-800 A.D. <br>   IV. Period Post-classic 900-1200 A.D. <br>   V. Period of decline 1300-1600 A.D. </font></div></td> <td width="180" align="right" valign="top"><img src="img/all/sec_6/montealban1.jpg" width="165" height="250"></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <div align="justify"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"> Since 1987 UNESCO has considered the archaeological site of Monte Alban "Patrimony of the Humanity." Also, in 1993, the President of Mexico declared it as an "Archaeological Monument", for what receives recognition and protection at both, national and international levels.<br> <br> If you would like to live the magic of Oaxaca, Oro de Monte Alban recommends the following travel agents:</font></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td width="50"> </td> <td align="center" valign="top"><img src="img/all/templ/bullet2.jpg" width="6" height="13"></td> <td> <div align="justify"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"><a href="http://oaxacainfo.com/zt.htm">Zapotec Tours</a></font></div></td> </tr>  </table></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td><form name="FMensaje" action="enviar.cfm" method="POST"> <table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr align="left" valign="top"> <td> <table border="0" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="0" align="left"> <tr align="left" valign="top"> <td> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Name:</font> </td> <td> <input type="text" name="Nom" size="25" maxlength="50" class="input"> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr align="left" valign="top"> <td> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Email:</font> </td> <td> <input type="text" name="Email" size="25" maxlength="50" class="input"> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr align="left" valign="top"> <td> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Phone number:</font> </td> <td> <input type="text" name="Tel" size="25" maxlength="50" class="input"> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr align="left" valign="top"> <td> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Country:</font> </td> <td> <input type="text" name="Pais" size="25" maxlength="50" class="input"> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr align="left" valign="top"> <td> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Best time to call:</font><br> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">(Your local time)</font><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">  </font> </td> <td> <input type="text" name="Hora" size="25" maxlength="50" class="input"> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr align="left" valign="top"> <td colspan="2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Request information or promotions:</font> </td> <td><table border="0" align="right" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top"> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Yes  </font></td> <td><input name="Inf" type="checkbox" id="Inf" value="1" checked></td> </tr> </table> <div align="right"></div> <div align="right"></div></td> </tr> </table></td> <td align="left" valign="bottom"> </td> </tr> <tr align="left" valign="top"> <td colspan="2"> <table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Request a printed catalog:</font> </td> <td><table border="0" align="right" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top"> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Yes  </font></td> <td><input name="CatImp" type="checkbox" id="CatImp" value="1"></td> </tr> </table> <div align="right"></div> <div align="right"></div></td> </tr> </table></td> <td align="left" valign="bottom"> </td> </tr> <tr align="left" valign="top"> <td> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Comments:</font> </td> <td> <textarea name="Coment" cols="30" rows="8" class="input"></textarea> </td> <td align="left" valign="bottom"><input type="submit" name="Submit" value="Submit"></td> </tr> </table></td> <td align="right"> <table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="0" align="left"> <tr> <td><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="4" color="#96AB7D"><img src="img/all/templ/bullet1.jpg" width="9" height="15">USA Office </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td width="15"> </td> <td align="center" valign="top"><img src="img/all/templ/bullet2.jpg" width="6" height="13"></td> <td><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">8603 Crownhill, suite 8<br> San Antonio, Texas 78209<br> Ph. 1.210.928.1988<br> Fax 1.210.832.9252<br> Free 1.888.299.3318</font></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="mailto:info@orodemontealban.com%20"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"> info@orodemontealban.com </font></a></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> </table> </form></td> </tr> </table> </body>