Built on the summit of a levelled hill above Oaxaca, Monte Albán and its magnificent proportions are best seen from building E in the low-angled light of the early morning or late afternoon. The Zapotecs occupied the site from the 5C BC, making it their capital; at its peak (5C AD) the city, which became famous for making urns, had 30,000 inhabitants. Taken over by the Mixtecs in the 9C, it was turned into a royal necropolis. The extraordinary jewellery found in tomb 7 can be seen in the museum in Oaxaca.