The Zapotec Civilization was an ancient culture that thrived in the Oaxaca Valley of Mexico from around 500 BCE to 1500 CE. Known for their advanced agricultural techniques, the Zapotecs cultivated crops like maize and beans, which supported their growing population. They built impressive cities, with Monte Albán being one of the most significant, featuring monumental architecture and a complex social structure. The Zapotecs developed one of the earliest writing systems in Mesoamerica, which included hieroglyphs and a calendar. Their society was organized into city-states, each ruled by a king or elite class. The Zapotecs made significant contributions to art, pottery, and astronomy, influencing later cultures in the region.