There is evidence of the occupation of Yagul from the time of Monte Albán (500 years BC). It flourished as an urban center after the decline of Monte Albán (800 AD). Later, after a short period of abandonment, Yagul re-emerged to become a city-state, in the valley of Oaxaca, which prevailed until shortly before the arrival of the Spanish conquerors.
This important pre-Hispanic center, whose name literally means "Old Stick or Tree" has among its monuments the largest ball game field in the Oaxacan region and the second in Mesoamerica.
This archaeological building is similar in some buildings to Monte Albán. Its palace with six patios is almost identical to the group of columns at Mitla. There is a magnificent ball court field, possibly the largest in the Valley of Oaxaca, its tombs are cruciform, the best known is the triple Tomb of the Patio de la Rana or Patio Hundido.
From the Yagul fortress, on one of the defensive walls, you can enjoy an unparalleled panoramic view of the Tlacolula Valley. Populated by Zapotecs.
It is made up of three parts; in the center, an enormous artificial platform gathers the temples and the main palaces in tiered terraces; at the highest part is the acropolis crowned by the fortress, with a natural granite watchtower from where all the towns of the Tlacolula Valley can be seen with astonishing clarity; to the east, south and west, occupying the slopes of the hill, were the houses of the people of the town. Across the river, on the southwestern plain, there are remains of a small palace with fretwork and other more modest residences, all still unexplored.
Leaving on the north side of the patio, we come to the largest ball court in the Valley of Oaxaca, and which, like the others in the state, lacks rings; In the south of the eastern head, there was a stone in the shape of a snake's head embedded, which can now be admired in the Museum of the Santo Domingo Cultural Center in the city of Oaxaca.
Between this building and the one to the south, there is a long and narrow street, where decorations with stone mosaic frets can be seen, identical to those of Mitla; the floor is the natural rock of the hill. It borders to the south with a huge, long and narrow room, known as the Council Room, which was formerly decorated with stone mosaics, now disappeared. The entrance to the room is through some steps that lead to another large patio, which has another ceremonial building on its west side and a complex to the east, which separates it from the ball court.
To reach the archaeological zone from Oaxaca city, you must pass the town of Tlacolula de Matamoros until you connect with the detour that will guide you to the Yagul Archaeological zone.
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