Mitla

A Zapotec ceremonial and burial complex southeast of Oaxaca City, Mitla is distinguished by its intricate stone mosaic friezes — geometric stepped-fret patterns built from thousands of individually cut stone pieces without mortar. The site continued in use through the Mixtec and colonial periods, and a Spanish colonial church was built directly over one of the principal Zapotec palaces using its stones. The precision of the geometric masonry remains unmatched in Mesoamerican architecture.