Mesoamerican ArchaeologyMesoamerican Archaeology

ToltecToltecAztecAztec

Post-ClassicPost-Classic Collapse of many of the great nations and cities of the Collapse of many of the great nations and cities of the

Classic Era, although some continue, such as in Classic Era, although some continue, such as in Oaxaca, Cholula, and the Maya of Yucatán, such as at Oaxaca, Cholula, and the Maya of Yucatán, such as at Chichen Itza and Uxmal. Chichen Itza and Uxmal.

This is sometimes seen as a period of increased chaos This is sometimes seen as a period of increased chaos and warfare. and warfare.

The Toltec for a time dominate central Mexico in the 11th The Toltec for a time dominate central Mexico in the 11th - 13th century, then collapse. - 13th century, then collapse.

The northern Maya are for a time united under Mayapan.The northern Maya are for a time united under Mayapan. The Aztec Empire rises in the 14th century and seems The Aztec Empire rises in the 14th century and seems

on the path to asserting a dominance over the whole on the path to asserting a dominance over the whole region not seen since Teotihuacan, when Mesoamerica region not seen since Teotihuacan, when Mesoamerica is discovered by Spain and conquered by the is discovered by Spain and conquered by the Conquistadors.Conquistadors.

Tula and the ToltecsTula and the Toltecs

A.D. 900-1200A.D. 900-1200 Development of city north of Teotihuacan after Development of city north of Teotihuacan after

its collapse in 900 A.D.its collapse in 900 A.D. located on the Tula river and near the Lerma located on the Tula river and near the Lerma

rivers for easy communication with others.rivers for easy communication with others. this new capital was closer to the northern limits this new capital was closer to the northern limits

of agriculture.of agriculture. Toltec history embellished by Aztecs, Spaniards Toltec history embellished by Aztecs, Spaniards

and others after their collapse in 1200 A.D.and others after their collapse in 1200 A.D.

ToltecToltec

Tula GrandeTula Grande

Was occupied during the prime phase of Was occupied during the prime phase of Tula 950-1150 A.D.Tula 950-1150 A.D.

13 km in area, with a population of 30-13 km in area, with a population of 30-60,000 residents.60,000 residents.

craftspeople, tradespeople, religious craftspeople, tradespeople, religious leaders, but not farmers.leaders, but not farmers.

workshops included manos and metates workshops included manos and metates makers. toolmakers.makers. toolmakers.

city laid out on n-s axis.city laid out on n-s axis.

TulaTula

AtlantidsAtlantids

Rise of the AztecRise of the Aztec

From A.D. 1200 to A.D. 1370 the Basin of From A.D. 1200 to A.D. 1370 the Basin of Mexico was occupied by various central Mexican Mexico was occupied by various central Mexican peoples.peoples.

Chichimec people settled in the area from the Chichimec people settled in the area from the North and gradually overcame the people living North and gradually overcame the people living there at that time.there at that time.

primarily due to Xolotl, who ruled a somewhat primarily due to Xolotl, who ruled a somewhat barbaric horde.barbaric horde.

Technically squatted in the area of Tenochtitlan Technically squatted in the area of Tenochtitlan and were know as the Mixeca but today Aztecs and were know as the Mixeca but today Aztecs is more common.is more common.

The Chichimec PeriodThe Chichimec Period

The Aztec originated from somewhere in north The Aztec originated from somewhere in north or northwest Mexico. or northwest Mexico.

At that time the Aztecs (who referred to At that time the Aztecs (who referred to themselves as the Mexica or Tenochca) were a themselves as the Mexica or Tenochca) were a small, nomadic, Nahuatl-speaking aggregation small, nomadic, Nahuatl-speaking aggregation of tribal peoples living on the margins of of tribal peoples living on the margins of civilized Mesoamerica.civilized Mesoamerica.

Sometime in the 12th century they embarked Sometime in the 12th century they embarked on a period of wandering and in the 13th on a period of wandering and in the 13th century settled in the central basin of México.century settled in the central basin of México.

The Aztecs finally found refuge on small The Aztecs finally found refuge on small islands in Lake Texcoco where, in 1325, islands in Lake Texcoco where, in 1325, they founded the town of TENOCHTITLAN they founded the town of TENOCHTITLAN (modern-day Mexico City). (modern-day Mexico City).

Other Chichimecs followed who were Other Chichimecs followed who were more civilized but stole women and more civilized but stole women and practiced sacrifice.practiced sacrifice.brought knowledge of the Maya calender brought knowledge of the Maya calender

system, cultivated crops with irrigation, system, cultivated crops with irrigation, constructed with stone.constructed with stone.

The Chichimec PeriodThe Chichimec Period

Basin of MexicoBasin of Mexico

Aztec EmpireAztec Empire

TenochtitlanTenochtitlan

Tenochtitlan Reconstruction

How were they all fed?How were they all fed?

Used the Chinampas (floating gardens) for Used the Chinampas (floating gardens) for agriculture.agriculture. 25,000 acres of chinampas at the time of contact.25,000 acres of chinampas at the time of contact. gardens never actually floated, but were created gardens never actually floated, but were created

by making use of the vegetaion in the swamps. by making use of the vegetaion in the swamps. Floating water plants were used to build up Floating water plants were used to build up

gardens and then were dragged onto shore for gardens and then were dragged onto shore for chinampas.chinampas.

They became anchored to the native cypress.They became anchored to the native cypress. Lake mud was piled on and canals were built.Lake mud was piled on and canals were built.

ChinampasChinampas

However, although chinampas were very However, although chinampas were very productive, the number of people living in productive, the number of people living in the area at the time of contact could not the area at the time of contact could not keep up with subsistence and surplus food keep up with subsistence and surplus food demands.demands.

These marsh plots also brought in birds These marsh plots also brought in birds and fish that could be gathered while they and fish that could be gathered while they were working.were working.

ChinampasChinampas

Ancient Aztecs tending to chinampas

http://www.rose-hulman.edu/~delacova/aztec-society.htm

Cultural Innovations:Cultural Innovations:Trade, Economics, Market SystemTrade, Economics, Market System

Part of inter-related regions which Part of inter-related regions which consisted of Morelos to the south, Puebla consisted of Morelos to the south, Puebla to the east, Mezquital to the north, and to the east, Mezquital to the north, and Toluca to the west.Toluca to the west.although many crops the same, some areas although many crops the same, some areas

had their specialty crops.had their specialty crops. tropical fruits, cotton, cacao from Morelos, tropical fruits, cotton, cacao from Morelos,

beans from Puebla.beans from Puebla. flowers were also a big part of the economy flowers were also a big part of the economy

because one of the great pleasures was of because one of the great pleasures was of the smelling of flowers.the smelling of flowers.

Aztec Market (Tlateloco)Aztec Market (Tlateloco)

Market days were held once each five days, four Market days were held once each five days, four times each month. Sometimes daily in larger times each month. Sometimes daily in larger towns.towns. reflected community craft specializations as well as reflected community craft specializations as well as

imported goods.imported goods. also slaves were traded, and dogs for food (400 on a also slaves were traded, and dogs for food (400 on a

slow day).slow day). Bernal Diaz de Castillo says that he didn’t even Bernal Diaz de Castillo says that he didn’t even

have time to list how many things were offered have time to list how many things were offered one day at the market of Tlateloco.one day at the market of Tlateloco. commodities and goods exchanged by barter.commodities and goods exchanged by barter.

Cultural InnovationsCultural Innovations

WritingWriting Nahuatl language spoken at conquest, living Nahuatl language spoken at conquest, living

language today.language today. Many codices and glyphs to describe lifeways of Many codices and glyphs to describe lifeways of

Aztecs, as well as Spanish accounts.Aztecs, as well as Spanish accounts.

Several Significant Codices:Several Significant Codices: Codex Borbonicus Codex Borbonicus Florentine Codex Codex Mendoza

Codex Borbonicus Codex Borbonicus

A scene from the Codex Borbonicus, which shows the gods Tlachitonátiuh and Xolotl, while on the right are the

8 to 13 days of the sixteenth series of the ritual series.

 

http://www.rose-hulman.edu/~delacova/aztecs4.htm

Florentine CodexFlorentine Codex

Human sacrifice http://www.rose-hulman.edu/~delacova/florentine-codex.htm

Codex MendozaCodex Mendoza

Tribute 

http://www.rose-hulman.edu/~delacova/codex-mendoza.htm

Cultural InnovationsCultural Innovations

ArtArtStone carving to communicate ideas.Stone carving to communicate ideas.Free-standing figures of Aztec deities.Free-standing figures of Aztec deities.Aztec Calender stone.Aztec Calender stone.Atlantean figures and chocmoolsAtlantean figures and chocmools

MetallurgyMetallurgyacquired from Maya.acquired from Maya.Mostly gold, silver.Mostly gold, silver.

ArtArt

http://www.mesoweb.com/features/jpl/99.html

Obsidian vessel carved Obsidian vessel carved in the shape of a in the shape of a monkey monkey

Polychrome terracota plaque with molded and apliquéd sculpture of a human face

Stone box with representations of corn cobs

ArtArt

http://www.mesoweb.com/features/jpl/99.html

Obsidian vessel carved Obsidian vessel carved in the shape of a in the shape of a monkey monkey

Polychrome terracota plaque with molded and apliquéd sculpture of a human face

Stone box with representations of corn cobs

JewelryJewelry

Necklaces found in the  Great Temple at Tenochtitlan

http://www.rose-hulman.edu/~delacova/aztec-jewelry.htm

MasksMasks

http://www.rose-hulman.edu/~delacova/aztec-masks.htm

Human Sacrifice

Skull Rack

Spanish Arrival: CortesSpanish Arrival: Cortes

Spanish arrive in A.D. 1519 at Vera Cruz.Spanish arrive in A.D. 1519 at Vera Cruz.March inland to TenochtitlanMarch inland to TenochtitlanReceived by Moctezuma II, who was then Received by Moctezuma II, who was then

held captive by Cortes and his men.held captive by Cortes and his men.Moctezuma II dies, replaced by nephew Moctezuma II dies, replaced by nephew

(dies almost immediately from small pox), (dies almost immediately from small pox), replaced by another nephew: Cuahtemoc.replaced by another nephew: Cuahtemoc.

Moctezuma II

Mexico RevoltsMexico Revolts

The siege began on May 21, 1521 and The siege began on May 21, 1521 and lasted for 85 days.lasted for 85 days.

Finally ended when the Spanish captured Finally ended when the Spanish captured the northeast section of the city and the northeast section of the city and eventually conquered the remaining Aztecs.eventually conquered the remaining Aztecs.

Cuauhtemoc sets our from the city and Cuauhtemoc sets our from the city and surrenders to Cortes sometime around surrenders to Cortes sometime around August 14, 1521.August 14, 1521.

Spanish Arrival: CortesSpanish Arrival: Cortes

Spanish arrive in A.D. 1519 at Vera Cruz.Spanish arrive in A.D. 1519 at Vera Cruz.March inland to TenochtitlanMarch inland to TenochtitlanReceived by Moctezuma II, who was then Received by Moctezuma II, who was then

held captive by Cortes and his men.held captive by Cortes and his men.Moctezuma II dies, replaced by nephew Moctezuma II dies, replaced by nephew

(dies almost immediately from small pox), (dies almost immediately from small pox), replaced by another nephew: Cuahtemoc.replaced by another nephew: Cuahtemoc.

Cuahtemoc is forced to surrender in AD Cuahtemoc is forced to surrender in AD 1521.1521.