The North Barrier Mound is the complex of platforms and buildings at the north end of the city. Many of the tombs of Monte Alban are located behind this complex. Burial tombs are mainly from the Monte Alban III phase, and tend to be single burials of elite residents. The tombs are constructed under courtyards, down a set of narrow stairs leading into a stone burial chamber. Carvings of gods protected the inner burial chambers and painted frescos decorated the walls. Other tombs connected to the elite burials contained the remains of servants, sacrificed to accompany the elite into the afterlife.

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