Exam 7: Developing Civilizations

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The term "Toltec" refers to a pre-Columbian Mesoamerican culture that thrived in central Mexico between the 10th and mid-12th centuries CE. The Toltecs are often associated with the archaeological site of Tula, Hidalgo, which is believed to have been the capital of their civilization. They are known for their significant contributions to Mesoamerican art, architecture, and urban planning.

Identification of the Toltec culture is primarily through archaeological evidence, historical records, and the study of their influence on subsequent cultures, such as the Aztecs. The Aztecs revered the Toltecs and considered them as their intellectual and cultural predecessors, often referring to them as master builders and artisans.

Key features of Toltec civilization include:

1. **Art and Architecture**: The Toltecs are known for their impressive architectural structures, including pyramids, palaces, and ball courts. Their art featured a mix of realistic and stylized forms, with a particular emphasis on sculptural representations of Chacmool figures (reclining figures holding a bowl or a disk) and Atlantean figures (columnar statues representing warriors).

2. **Urban Planning**: The layout of Tula, the Toltec capital, reflects a sophisticated understanding of urban design, with ceremonial precincts, residential areas, and marketplaces.

3. **Craftsmanship**: The Toltecs were skilled metalworkers, potters, and carvers, and their work influenced the styles of later Mesoamerican cultures.

4. **Religion and Mythology**: The Toltec religion included a pantheon of gods similar to those of other Mesoamerican cultures. Quetzalcoatl, the Feathered Serpent deity, was particularly significant and is often associated with Toltec culture.

5. **Influence**: The Toltec culture had a profound impact on neighboring regions and successor civilizations, such as the Aztecs, who adopted many Toltec artistic styles, religious practices, and even claimed descent from them to legitimize their own rule.

The decline of the Toltec civilization is not entirely understood, but it is believed to have involved a combination of internal strife, environmental changes, and possibly conflicts with neighboring groups. By the time the Aztecs rose to prominence, the Toltecs were already part of the region's history and mythology.

In summary, the identification of the Toltec culture is through the archaeological remains found at sites like Tula, the art and architecture they left behind, and the historical accounts from later civilizations that interacted with or were influenced by them.