Civilizations Around the World: The Toltec

The Toltec Civilization was one of three great empires of the Basin of Mexico, after the fall of Teotihuacan and before the rise of the Aztecs. The capital was at Tula (a.k.a. Tollan), in the Valley of Mexico, was home to 40,000 to 60,000 people, Tula controlled most of central Mexico, the Yucatan peninsula, the Gulf coast, and perhaps even Chiapas. Although the Postclassic has become virtually synonymous with Aztec rule, central Mexico was Toltec domain with their influence spread throughout central and eastern Mexico during the Toltec heyday (about AD 900-1200).

The Tula archaeological site, 40 miles north of Mexico City, is best known for its nearly 15-foot-high stone warriors, which once served as columns supporting a pyramid. Structures worth seeing include the Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli Pyramid, Coatepantli (Serpent Wall) and the Burnt Palace. There is also a small museum. One of their notable inventions was the tzompantli, a wall adorned with the heads of sacrificial victims, particularly prisoners of war.

Tula, Hidalgo [commons.wikimedia.com]

The Toltec in Mesoamerican have been used in different ways by different scholars to refer to as a population of pre-Columbian central Mexico or to the mythical ancestors mentioned in the mythical/historical narratives of the Aztecs.

It is an ongoing debate whether the Toltecs were an actual ethnic group in Mesoamerican history or if they are only an Aztec myth. Amoung scholars, it is a debate whether the Aztec narratives of Toltec history should be given credence as descriptions of actual historical events. The scholars who have maintain that continued analysis of the narratives understood the Toltecs as an actual ethnic group and see the sources as actual history, and connect the Toltec to the archaeological site of Tula, Hidalgo, the supposed Tollan of Aztec myth.

Another controversy relating to the Toltecs are reasons behind similarities in architecture and iconography between the archaeological site of Tula and the Maya site of Chichén Itzá. There is no knowledge of influence between the two sites.

About the Author

I'm Jose Pierre and I like learning about all aspects of culture, both ancient and modern. I enjoy learning how they communicated, expressed themselves, and their technology.