Santa María Atzompa is a town and municipality located in the Mexican state of Oaxaca, situated approximately five kilometers from the state capital. It is part of the Centro District within the Valles Centrales region. The settlement was founded between the 7th and 9th centuries as a satellite of the ancient Zapotec city of Monte Albán.
The town is primarily known for its pottery making, an economic activity that has persisted since its founding. It is currently recognized specifically for its green-glazed pottery, which was historically exported to the United States and across Mexico but is now largely sold locally. Recent archaeological excavations at the Atzompa site have revealed a 45-meter Mesoamerican ball court believed to have been a principal site for Monte Albán.
The town maintains a rustic atmosphere characterized by the constant smoke from wood-fired pottery kilns. To address local poverty and improve the prospects of the craft, the community has implemented innovations such as lead-free glazing and a communal crafts market.