BOULDER, COLORADO—Arthur A. Joyce of the University of Colorado and Sarah Barber of the University of Central Florida say that religion led to social tension and conflict in Oaxaca, Mexico, between 700 B.C. and A.D. 250. At this time, states were emerging in the region. Archaeological evidence in the Lower Río Verde Valley suggests that religious rituals involving offerings and the burial of people in smaller cemeteries tied people to local communities rather than larger, state institutions. They built massive temples that were abandoned just a century later. In the Valley of Oaxaca, elites became central to religion, which created conflict with traditional community leaders. Ultimately, a regional state was formed with the hilltop capital of Monte Albán. “In both the Valley of Oaxaca and the Lower Río Verde Valley, religion was important in the formation and history of early cities and states, but in vastly different ways. Given the role of religion in social life and politics today, that shouldn’t be too surprising,” Joyce said in a press release. To read about a project to digitally scan structures at Monte Albán, go to "The Past in Hi-Def."