Monte Albán damaged after quake

The earthquakes on September 7 and 19 have affected at least 30 archeological sites in several states of the Mexican Republic. One of the most affected and requiring urgent attention is Monte Albán in Oaxaca .

The site, recognized as Cultural Heritage of Humanity , has reported several damages and collapses at the Ball Game (Juego de Pelota) structure.

“If left unattended, it could become something very serious, we're talking about collapses,” warned yesterday Pedro Sánchez Nava, National Coordinator of Archeology of the National Institute of Anthropology and History ( INAH ).

The archeologist says they have been monitoring the structures with several devices, and that these record a displacement of some of the structures, in addition to the cracks and detachments which point out to internal issues.

“Because of the rains, all this becomes a sponge. We will restore Pre-hispanic drains, so all the water doesn't get trapped there,” he added.

The archeologist said INAH experts are working with the Engineering Institute of the National Autonomous University ( UNAM ) to assess the structures.

“There are several imbalances in the structures, but they can all be reversed if we act adequately now,” he claimed.

The archeological site remains open to the public, but the INAH has restricted access to the damaged structure and the Ball Game area, where a section of a wall collapsed.

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