During IIIA, Ceramics from the Valley of Oaxaca continue appear in significant quantities in the Ejutla Valley immediately to the south, though ceasing to appear elsewhere. Indeed, Ejutla settlements in this sub-phase appear to be a continuation of the settlement pattern in the southern part of the Valley of Oaxaca.
Some carved stone monuments dating to IIIA, stellae, appearing in the Main Plaza at Monte Alba´n exhibit location glyphs (similar to those on the stone carvings on Structure J) and bound human figures suggesting captives and possibly indicating military conquest. Locations denoted by the glyphs have not been identified.
Ceramic evidence and ceramic production analysis reveal pottery workshops larger than household units located in a way that suggests minimizing transport costs to major population centers. Their production was more standardized and of lower cost and quality than in Monte Albán II -- a trend which persisted thoroughout Monte Albán III. These features suggest to some that ceramic production and/or distribution may have been something like a “state monopoly”.
