The Zapotec civilization emerged in the valleys of Oaxaca, a region characterized by its fertile land, diverse ecosystems, and strategic position for trade and agriculture. Archaeological evidence suggests that the earliest Zapotec communities began forming around 1500 BCE, with small farming villages dotting the landscape. Over time, these settlements grew in complexity, giving rise to a society that would become one of Mesoamerica's most influential civilizations.

Early Zapotec communities relied heavily on agriculture, cultivating maize, beans, squash, and chili peppers—staples that formed the foundation of their diet. The region's rivers and seasonal rains provided a reliable water source, allowing for irrigation techniques that supported larger populations. As food production increased, villages expanded, and the need for organization led to the development of social hierarchies. Religious leaders, warriors, and skilled artisans began to hold distinct roles in society, paving the way for the emergence of political structures.

By the first millennium BCE, the Zapotecs had established themselves as a dominant force in the Oaxaca Valley. Unlike nomadic or loosely structured societies, they developed permanent settlements with planned architecture, ceremonial centers, and marketplaces. This period saw the rise of San José Mogote, one of the earliest known Zapotec centers, where the first signs of their writing system and political organization appeared. San José Mogote's influence laid the groundwork for the later establishment of Monte Albán, which would become the heart of Zapotec power.