A hidden chamber discovered within a residential complex at the Monte Albán archaeological site has been identified as a specialized center for herbal medicine. The site contains over forty ceramic jars, each holding charred remains of specific plants, roots, and minerals known for their healing properties in Zapotec tradition.
Initial botanical analysis has identified samples of wild tobacco, agave resins, and a variety of tropical herbs not native to the immediate valley, suggesting a sophisticated trade network for medicinal ingredients. This 'pharmacy' provides the most direct evidence to date of the pharmacological practices of the Classic period Zapotec civilization.