Who was Alfonso Caso?
He was born in Mexico City on February 1, 1896. He received a law degree and a master’s degree in Philosophy from the National University of Mexico, today the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). He made discoveries in the fields of archaeology, ethnohistory and anthropology.
In the winter of 1930 he began explorations in Monte Albán (Oaxaca) and in 1932 he discovered Tomb 7. He is the author of 300 works, among them: Urnas de Oaxaca (1952). The ceramics of Monte Albán (1967) and The treasure of Monte Albán (1969).
Former rector of UNAM
He served as a professor at the National School of Higher Studies, today the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters (1918-1939); from the National School of Jurisprudence, today the Faculty of Law (1919-1929) and from the National School of Anthropology (1929-1943).
He was rector of the UNAM for one year (1944-1945), during his administration the Organic Law that currently governs the University was established; Secretary of National Assets and Administrative Inspection (1946-1948) and director of the National Indigenous Institute (1949-1970).
The National College remembers that he held numerous positions in public administration, including director of the National Preparatory School (1928-1929); head of the Department of Archeology of the National Museum of Archeology, History and Ethnography (1930-1933); director of said institution (1933-1934) and of the National Museum of Anthropology and History (1939-1944); director of explorations of the archaeological zone of Monte Albán.