Toltec

The Toltecs were a pre-Columbian Mesoamerican people who dominated central Mexico from the 10th to the 12th centuries CE. Their capital city was Tollan-Xicocotitlan, located near modern-day Tula de Allende in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico.

The term "Toltec" is derived from the Nahuatl word tōltēcatl (plural tōltēcah), meaning "artisan" or "craftsman." Later Nahua peoples, including the Aztecs, viewed the Toltecs as their intellectual and cultural predecessors, attributing to them great wisdom, artistic skill, and mastery of building and governance. They were often idealized as the founders of civilization.

Much of what is known about the Toltecs comes from archaeological evidence, historical accounts from later cultures (especially the Aztecs), and interpretations of mythology. However, separating historical reality from mythological embellishment is a challenge.

The Toltecs are believed to have been skilled builders, known for their distinctive architectural style which includes large basalt sculptures, such as the Atlantes of Tula. They also likely engaged in extensive trade networks throughout Mesoamerica.

The decline of the Toltec civilization is attributed to a combination of factors, including internal strife, environmental degradation, and potentially invasions from other groups. The abandonment of Tollan-Xicocotitlan marked the end of Toltec dominance in the region, although their influence continued to be felt for centuries afterwards.