Beginning in 2009, there has been excavation at the Atzompa archeological site, leading to the discovery of a 45-meter Mesoamerican ball court, which has been determined to have been on the principal one for Monte Alban.

The Atzompa community was established on a hill for strategic reasons, overlooking the fertile Valley of Etla below, partly as a bulwark against the neighboring Mixtec.

Most of it at that time was the gray pottery typical of the surrounding area although there is a greater diversity of shapes, including jaguar heads and eagle claws.

[3] After the Spanish conquest, Santa Maria was added to its native name of Atzompa ("high water mark" in Nahuatl),[2] and lead glazing techniques were introduced in the 16th century.

[4] In the mid 20th century, Atzompa was the main producer of ceramics for the region, and its products were shipped to all parts of Mexico and exported to the United States.

[5] Today, most of the community's distinctive green-glazed pottery is sold in neighboring Oaxaca city, with most families here making a subsistence living through that and by growing corn.

[4] All around town, one can see black smoke rising from the pottery kilns firing jars, pots, comals, plates and other dishes.

[4] Foods that can be found in markets here include various moles, barbacoa, tamales, nopal soup, with beef and chicken being the most common meats.

[2] Despite being close to the city of Oaxaca, Atzompa is a very poor community which subsists mostly on the production of its signature green pottery.

[4] In very poor neighborhoods such as Colonia Forestal, schools are shacks made from cardboard, wood and boards with dirt floors.

After the wedding ceremony, the bride returns home to receive the blessing of her parents, which is celebrated by fireworks.

This person is an older, respected member of the community, who acts as a master of ceremonies, asking guests to enjoy the food and beverages prepared for the occasion.

The mayordomo is in charge of an image called the "Señor del Coro" which is a crucifix to which has been attributed miracles.

On the second night, a new mayordomo is chosen for the coming year and when the process is concluded, fireworks are set off to allow the village to know.

Processions are held where youths carry litters adorned with crepe paper, bougainvillea flowers and other things.

There are also "fireworks castles" (structures laden with small rockets which move parts), music and a large supper, usually based on beans and rice.

The traditional meal s fish with white beans, with a sweet called "maja blanca" made from ground rice, milk, cinnamon and sugar for dessert.

[2] Day of the Dead celebrations begin on midnight 31 October, when those with deceased loved ones gather in the cemetery to light the tombs with candles and decorate them with Mexican marigolds and other flowers.

These people are greeted on the morning of 31 October by municipal authorities who bring a musical band and offer tea and coffee.

On November 1, the dead continue to be honored in the home, with a traditional meal of mole, tamales and beans.

On this day are eaten bread, hot chocolate and fruit, with the aim of saying goodbye to the deceased who have been visiting.

[2] The Fiesta del Nacimiento (Feast of the Birth) occurs at the house of the mayordomo of a Christ child image.

The mayordomo's daughter leads this event and is called the "madrina del Niño Dios" (godmother of the Christ Child).

[2] The clay is mined from an area called San Lorenzo Cacautepec, four km from the town center.

The color and shine is due to the glazing process, which was introduced in the 16th century by cleric Alonso Figueroa and has remained mostly unchanged since then.

Studies have shown that people in potters' communities such as Atompa, where lead glaze is used have unusually high levels of the substance in their blood.

A 1995 study showed that 44% of children under five years of age in working-class families had high levels of lead in their bloodstreams.

[4] Porras developed a white translucent glaze on which to paint colors such as bright oranges, blues, greens and yellows.

In 2010, a ceremony to honor her innovative work was organized by the Arden Rothstein of the Friends of Oaxacan Folk Art Association.

A number of significant constructions have been excavated including structures called the Casa de Oriental (East House) and Casa de Altares (House of the Altars) and the Central Shrine of Atzompa which is larger than its counterpart in Monte Alban proper.