Between 900 A.D. and 1200 A.D. an empire of fierce warriors and crafty merchants controlled northern Mesoamerica. They inherited the culture of the Teotihucán empire and were the forbearers of the Aztecs.
A BRIEF HISTORY
|
The history of the Toltec empire is very sketchy with few facts being certain. Spanish
priests and scribes attempted to piece together the history of the Toltecs as it
was handed down to them by the Aztecs, but the information was confusing at best.
The center of the Toltec empire was their capital of Tollan. This site was first settled c. 700 A.D. At this time the region was under the control of the city of Teotihucán. Around 750 A.D. Teotihucán was destroyed, perhaps by the Toltecs. The Toltec people took control of the region and Tollan grew rapidly as it was flooded with immigrants drawn to its markets an promising agriculture. The collapse of the Toltecs is shrouded in mystery. According to legends, Tollan was torn apart by civil war. Other probabilities include agriculture problems, internal power struggles, overcrowding due to continued immigration, and commerce difficulties. Whatever the cause, by 1150 A.D. or 1200 A.D. Tollan was abandoned and the Toltec empire disintegrated. |
CULTURE
|
The center of the Toltec empire was the capital city of Tollan. At the height of
Tollan's power it encompassed an area of five square miles ( 13 sq km ) and had a
population of about 35,000. The center of Tollan was known as the Main Civic Precinct.
This area of the city contained many temples, palaces, ball courts, and halls.
The basic economic system of the Toltecs depended upon trade and agriculture. Most of the people living in the urban areas of the empire were crafters. The main craft was obsidian which was used to manufacture blades, points for spears and bows, and blades. Other crafts included textiles, wooden instruments, ceramics, and stone tools. The trade influence of the Toltecs was far-reaching. Their imports included textiles, feathers, shells, peyote, cacao beans, and mushrooms. The Toltecs used several agricultural techniques including irrigation and hill terracing to grow their crops. Their main yields were maize, squash, chili peppers, beans, prickly pears, and amaranth. Meat consumption was rare, but wild game included rabbit, deer, rodents, and birds. The only domesticated animals were dogs and donkeys. The Toltec empire was not very large, but it was very influential. At its height it encompassed an area of 386 square miles ( 1000 sq km ). Tollan was the main city, but it was surrounded by many outlying villages. The Toltecs interacted with most of the societies of Mesoamerica. Most of these relationships were economic. There is one instance of the Toltecs conquering another. This was when they conquered the people of the Yucatan and imported their own religion and customs. |