Toltec Achievements

It may be surprising that most of the Aztecs’ accomplishments were not actually their own, but rather the Toltecs’ accomplishments the Aztecs adapted. The Toltecs are believed by historians to be in existence from 800-1200 CE with their height in 950 CE, but these dates can fluctuate due to the lack of archeological evidence. Archeologists have been searching for Toltec artifacts for over one hundred years in southern Mexico, where they were located, however there have not been any significant discoveries. The lack of artifacts led many historians to question the actual existence of the Toltecs. Most of the history known by the Toltecs came from accounts of the Aztecs, and most of their stories seemed to contradict the artifacts. For example,

The Toltecs became successful because of the stability the economy offered. Agriculture and trade made up the economy. The development of advanced agriculture techniques became a huge achievement for the Toltecs because it allowed for more food growth, despite the dry, arid climate of the region, and it earned the Toltecs the title “masters of nature” from the Aztecs. Some examples of the new agriculture techniques are creating a different irrigation system and hill terracing. Hill terracing is a way to farm by positioning the crops on a mountain, in step-like fields. For the Toltecs, it was essential that maize crops were always tended to well because it was their most valuable crop. Maize was the staple crop because of its ability to grow with little water and it fulfilled appetite. Along with maize, some of the other crops grown by the Toltecs include beans, squash, and cotton. This cotton was also significant to the economy of the Toltecs because it was grown to naturally have different colors like green, red, blue, and yellow. This cotton was then processed and used to create textiles that were traded. Considering trade, other items besides textiles were traded; these include items such as: metal, pottery, and stones. The Toltecs are considered by historians to be the first metalworkers in Mesoamerica. Tula was where most of these metalworkers and other craftsmen lived, so it became the

The Toltecs were polytheistic, meaning they worshipped many gods, and believed in mythology. Although they believed in many gods, Quetzalcoatl was the central deity. Quetzalcoatl means “quetzal-feather snake”, so he was often depicted as a rattlesnake with scales covered by long green feather of the quetzal bird. He is believed not only to be the creator of the universe, but also the controller of wind, fertility, and breathing. There are many historians who debate whether or not Quetzalcoatl was an actual man and ruler over the Toltecs at one time, but there are many legends from the Aztecs claiming he was. In the article about Toltec culture in the book Early Civilizations in Americas, one of the most common legends claims that the king, Quetzalcoatl, made a chastity vow, but the citizens were unhappy with him, so they tried tricking him into doing shameful acts. The citizens gave him an alcoholic beverage, and he got intoxicated. The next day, he woke up next to his sister, and breaking his vow of chastity. Ashamed of his actions, Quetzalcoatl decides he is no longer a fit ruler and he resigns from the throne and is exiled from his land in 987 CE. This is significant because the later Toltecs honored Quetzalcoatl for his accountability and loyalty. He was the “glue” for the society because he was a central figure, who all the citizens worshipped. Although the citizens