The archaeological zone consists of eight mounds in all, which extend over a local half-mile square. Only one of them, the biggest, immediately behind the museum [1], has been extensively explored. Climb its reconstructed stone staircase to a broad courtyard. On the courtyard’s north side is an excavated shaft, customarily locked, with the danzante monolith at its bottom.
Climb the regal, stair-stepped pyramid adjoining the courtyard. At the summit, you can glimpse the other mounds, scattered near and far. Most notable among these is a partly excavated ball court, a five-minute walk to the northwest, once used for the pelota mixteca ball game, still played locally.
Farther afield, a 10-minute walk to the southwest side of the zone past a modern but now unused stone era (threshing circle), local people can lead you to a corrugated iron roof that shelters the stone foundation of what archaeologists believe to be an elite family house.
While exploring the site, you may see a scattering of tiny yellow daisies. Local folks call this yerba de conejo (herb of the rabbit). They take it as a tea, or mixed with beans, for comida, especially before siestas. Some say that its aphrodisiac effect is potent indeed.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oaxaca/oaxaca-valley/west-archaeological-route/san-jose-el-mogote/museum