Early (300−100 B.C.) temple precinct in the Valley of Oaxaca, Mexico

Significance Recent excavations at the site of El Palenque have recovered the earliest-known temple precinct in the Valley of Oaxaca, Mexico, dating to the Late Monte Albán I phase (300–100 B.C.). This precinct exhibits characteristics similar to the temple precincts of 16th century Mesoamerican states. A walled enclosure contains differentiated temples, priests’ residences, and ritual features. We propose that the precinct’s components represent a hierarchy of temples staffed by a specialized full-time priesthood. A series of radiocarbon dates indicate that the El Palenque temple precinct was in use during the 300–100 B.C. period of archaic state emergence in Oaxaca.