TollanXicocotitlan

Tollan Xicocotitlan, often referred to as Tula or Tula Grande, was a major archaeological site in central Mexico, serving as the capital of the Toltec civilization. Its peak influence is generally placed between the 10th and 12th centuries CE. The name Tollan Xicocotitlan translates from Nahuatl to "Place of Many Cacaos" or "Place of the Root of Cacao," though it is more commonly known simply as Tula.

The city was renowned for its impressive architecture, including the famous Atlantes of Tula, monumental warrior statues that once supported the roof of a temple. Other notable structures include pyramids, ball courts, and palaces. Archaeological evidence suggests Tula was a significant center of trade and political power, with its influence extending throughout Mesoamerica. The Toltecs were known for their skills in metalworking, obsidian craft, and agriculture.

The reasons for Tula's decline and eventual abandonment are not fully understood but likely involved a combination of internal strife, environmental factors, and pressures from other emerging groups. Despite its eventual demise, the legacy of Tollan Xicocotitlan and the Toltec people had a profound impact on later Mesoamerican cultures, particularly the Aztec, who revered the Toltecs as their predecessors and incorporated elements of their art, religion, and political ideology into their own civilization. The site is now a protected archaeological zone and a popular tourist destination.