Mitla is the second most important archeological site in the
state of
Oaxaca in
Mexico, and the most important of the
Zapotec culture. The site is located 44 km from the
city of Oaxaca. in the upper end of the Tlacolula Valley, one of the three that form the Central Valleys Region of the state. The archeological site is within the modern municipality of
San Pablo Villa de Mitla. While
Monte Albán was most important as the political center, Mitla was the main religious center. The name Mitla is derived from the
Nahuatl name
Mictlán, which was the place of the dead or underworld. Its
Zapotec name is
Lyobaa, which means “place of rest.” The name Mictlán was
Hispanicized to Mitla by the
Spanish. However, what makes Mitla unique among
Mesoamerican sites is the elaborate and intricate mosaic
fretwork and geometric designs that cover tombs, panels,
friezes and even entire walls. These mosaics are made with small, finely cut and polished stone pieces which have been fitted together without the use of mortar. No other site in Mexico has this.