Columbus has traveled to many places, continents, countries and Mexico is no exception. But long before his arrival in Mexico, scientists began to study a Mesoamerican phenomenon, namely the word "Toltecs." The word implies several meanings, one of them is the mythical ancestors of the Aztecs. Some scientists believe that the Toltecs are a fiction of the Aztecs and does not take place in the real past. Other scientists are sure - they did not just exist, but were a separate civilization in Central America.
Those scientists who believe in the true existence of the Toltecs suggest that regions such as Tula and Hidalgo were inhabited. In their view, the ancient people dominated Mexico from the 10th to the 12th centuries (two centuries). Teotihuacan is believed to be the historical birthplace of the Toltecs, but there is no confirmation yet.
It's no secret that in ancient times there was a legendary Mayan people, scientists dared to assume that some branches of the Maya are directly related to the Toltecs, and even call them "Toltecized" Maya. The reason for such assumptions was the incredible similarity in the construction of the cities of Tula, Chinchen Itza, in the architecture of which the influences of two cultures - the Toltecs and the Maya - prevail. The Aztecs' capital was Tula, everyone knows that the Aztecs were masters in archeology. In addition to Tula, the Toltecs lived in Cholula, where buildings with architectural influences of the Aztecs were also discovered.
The Toltec civilization developed rapidly, had good material ground thanks to its skills in crafts. Smelting metals, stone carving distinguished them from other peoples, with the exception of the Mayan people, which is another confirmation of their close relationship.
The Toltec faith is somewhat cruel, including such rituals as sacrifice. In addition to bloody rituals, there were others - sun worship, the sacred ball game. It is believed that it was the Tultecs who invented the fermented drink and, moreover, had excellent knowledge of astronomy. Their calendar included several cycles, each of which consisted of 52 years, and each year of 260 days. In the thousandth year, a period of expansion began and led the Toltecs to a clear dominance over the Mayan people, which lasted two centuries (11-13). The Nomadians intervened in culture and overthrew the Toltecs, after which the Aztecs began to actively develop again. The fall of some was the beginning of the prosperity of others.
This line of thought existed for a long time, was famous for its popularity in scholarly circles, but in the first half of the twentieth century, archaeologists re-examined all the data about the Aztecs. A detailed and critical examination of historical facts led to a decrease in the interest of many scientists in the Toltecs. The reason was the assertion that the Toltecs were not mentioned everywhere, and moreover, if they were mentioned, then very indirectly, not a direct mention of the Toltecs, suggested a myth about this people.
There are other beliefs, taken from the manuscripts of the Aztecs, which say that the Toltecs are some mythical characters symbolizing the people, their power in the post-classical period. There is a version that the word "Toltec" in translation means a gifted person, talented in art, architecture, possessing artistry and wisdom. In general terms, this myth personified all the achievements of the people in one person of a mythical character.
Recently, scientists do not consider Tula, Hidalgo as cities built by the Toltecs, and do not consider their relationship to Tula at all - now scientists are concerned that they are trying to unwind the tangle of secrets and find out the true origin of these cities. There is a version that the Huastecs took place in the creation of Tula.
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Such a multitude of versions misled all scientists, they got confused. Now the main task is to separate the truth from the mythical beliefs about the ancient people. Many scientists are diligently looking for evidence that will irrefutably prove the true existence of the Toltecs as a separate people, the version of the myth does not suit them. There were attempts to find confirmation of the existence of the people during repeated excavations and a thorough examination of the already existing archaeological achievements, but the bulk of scientists are sure that myths cannot have real evidence of their life. It remains only to wait how their dispute will end, which will dot the "i's" in the version of the myth of the Toltecs.