Mixtec

A linguistic and cultural group of the Oaxaca state of southern Mexico, especially the Mixteca Alta region. The Mixtecs and Zapotecs struggled for power in Oaxaca and Early Mixtec dynasties date to the 7th century AD. The people were mainly skilled craftsmen - known for their metalwork, painting, stone carving, and turquoise mosaic - living in this mountainous country. Several books/codices have survived, and trace the history and politics of the Mixtec dynasties before the Spanish Conquest. During the Post-Classic period, they ventured into Zapotec territory and occupied much of the Valley of Oaxaca (Monte Albán, Mitla). The influence of Mixtec art is apparent as far north as Cholula, in the state of Puebla, where a regional Mixteca-Puebla style came into being, and was in turn one of the formative influences on Aztec art. Many of the finest objects from Aztec territory were probably the work of Mixtec artisans. The polychrome pottery had a lacquerlike polish and brilliant colors. Parts of the Mixteca were conquered by the Aztecs in the early 16th century, but in the south some Mixtecs remained independent until the arrival of the Spaniards. Their capital was at Tilantongo.

A culture of the Post-Classic Period centred on the high valleys of Oaxaca, Mexico. The major source of information on the Mixtec are the surviving genealogies (see codex) which trace their origins back to ad 692. The early period is characterized by a relatively bloodless struggle with the Zapotec for control of Oaxaca (possibly via kinalliance or other diplomatic means). A major expansion, directed from the capital at Tilantongo, occurred in the 11th century under the ruler 8-Deer whose close ties to Tula imply Toltec control. The Mixtec occupied the great centre at Monte Alban some time before the 14th century (that is, after the Zapotecs had left), but they used it principally as an elite burial place. The extraordinary collection of gold, silver, copper, jade and other materials from Tomb 7 show them to be skilled lapidary- and metal-workers as well as exponents of a complex artistic tradition. A blending of Mixtec and local traditions at Cholula produced the Mixteca-Puebla art style, which was a seminal influence in the growth of Aztec art. Though the Mixtec were always able to maintain a degree of independence, indeed remnants still survive today, their major power centres, such as Coixtlahuaca and Tlaxiaco, ultimately fell under Aztec control in the early 16th century. Their history overall, however, is a record of increasing fusion with the Zapotec.