Tula (Mesoamerican site)

Tula is the modern form of the name hispanisierte in the Aztec language Tollan (meaning place of rushes ) locality mentioned. To distinguish them from other places that had this name also ( though less as a proper name but rather as a term of respect ) you also said precisely: Tollan Xicocotitlān. The place was the cultural center of the Toltecs. The ruins situated 65 km north-west of present-day Mexico City in the state of Hidalgo in the municipality of Tula de Allende and was inhabited between the 10th and the 12th century AD. Suitably used for the place in the historical, pre-Hispanic context, the name Tollan, the ruins and the modern town of Tula de Allende the name Tula.

The city

The center of Tula forms a large area, which was used primarily for ceremonial purposes. It is dominated by a large open area, around which are grouped three porticoes. Another important factor was the smaller center Tula Chico are still north of the tourist area, which was the older center of the city. Housing estates included a wide range. It is believed, therefore, that in the 11th and 12th century, more than 60,000 people lived in Tula. Parts of the residential area are located west and south of the modern entrance to the archaeological zone exposed but not reconstructed.

Pyramid of Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli

The most famous building of this zone is the morning star - pyramid (also Temple of Quetzalcoatl, Temple of Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli or temple B). There is a frustum of a pyramid consisting of five superposed pyramid levels. On the east side is obtained on the two lowest levels in long horizontal fields of the original probably the entire pyramid surrounding flat plastic decoration ( on the other sides only protruding from the wall studs are obtained, which have given the cladding stop). The upper (extant) row shows an uninterrupted south facing procession of jaguars alternately with coyotes ( the former with collar and wagging tail). The bottom row contains groups of two eagles that feed on bleeding hearts. In between, in -depth fields, the peculiar en -face imaging of a mixed nature of man (face) and a feathered serpent ( oversized forked tongue, feathers to the sides ). It is thought that at least the Jaguar procession has its role models in Teotihuacán, where there are similar rows of jaguars. Under this series follows a slightly angled surface without decoration. Noteworthy are the clay pipes for drainage of rainwater, which were attached to the sides of the pyramid beneath the decorative layer.

On the surface of the pyramid three species are currently placed on stone monuments: round column drums belonging to the highly directional bodies of spring snakes, which have borne the entrance. Behind four sculptured figures of Toltec warriors ( 4.5 m high), with its characteristic costume and weaponry, and finally square pillars with a flat drawing of warriors. The modern lineup is hypothetical in strong accordance with the Warriors Temple of Chichen Itza. The monuments were found for the most part in a deep excavation of ancient times on the back of the pyramid, which must have been a deliberate act of destruction. With these massive destruction is ceramic type " Aztec II" associated, indicating the authorship.

Because of the destruction also lacks any trace of the temple building adopted enclosing outer wall. The monumental staircase on the south side of the pyramid is purely hypothetical in this form obtained was only the lowest level on the stucco floor of the vestibule of the footprint, and the footprint of the stair stringers.

Pyramid C

Diagonally opposite the pyramid described above is the larger of the two temples, which has hitherto been only partially excavated. The floor plan is a little different: the stairs on the west side does not extend to the actual pyramid body, but on a superior construction as it is likely to be encountered in Teotihuacán. The pyramid originally had five stages, which were probably decorated much like the sides of the Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli pyramid. Judging by parts of stone sculptures ( at the Museum of Tula ), also had this snake temple building columns at the entrance, and warrior figures as Altanten.

Porticoes

On the north, east and south sides are of different sizes porticoes. They have in common that they go to the great Plaza have a single, double or triple row of columns. On the wall behind it ran low brick benches along who were temporarily interrupted by higher and further projecting platforms whose sides were decorated with processions of warriors. Passages leading from these colonnades into larger space complexes that have been studied and reconstructed only on the north side of the Plaza in detail. Again, the reconstruction is problematic because, in the words of the excavator Jorge Acosta " it is strange that during the excavation of 48 pillars [ south of Tlahuizcalpanpyramide ] no traces were found, such as the pillars were constructed ."

Palacio Quemado

The so-called because of its burn marks " Burned Palace " is located west of Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli pyramid. Behind the portico, an opening leads to a square room with a central Impluvium. Visible traces in the bottom point to two rows of columns. Next to this room there are two more that were entered by a corridor along the pyramid or of a westerly portico. They are identical in plan. Behind are smaller rooms. Below the Palacio the existence of a large building from the phase Coyotlatelco was observed ( around 800), and one or two early - post- classical constructions. The function of the Palacio might have been a gathering place for the warrior societies. Since no herd or sleeping were found, an interpretation as a residential building is unlikely.

Ball courts

In the central region of Tula are two large playing fields: one takes up nearly the entire western side of the great court, and the other is north a short distance from the Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli pyramid. They correspond to the type späklassischen low, weakly inclined reflective surface and vertical side wall (as in Xochicalco ). In ancient times, especially the side walls below the reflecting surface were decorated with reliefs, of which only small remnants remain. The original existing stone rings in the middle of the side walls are also not receive are visible, the places where they were mounted in the wall. After the abandonment and destruction of the ball courts smaller constructions were built in them, so sweat baths in the ball court 2 The function of the niches on the side walls of the faces is not released.

El Corral

One and a half kilometers north of the entrance to the archaeological zone is a group, were examined in the residential building. In this complex, the pyramid, which has a peculiar layout, ( from back to front ) a rectangular frame, a wider circular and a rectangular transverse housing the staircase. Lies The building has at least two phases, was reconstructed in the elderly, which consists of two stages. The younger, far more is obtained only as a low wall rest. On a small altar beside the stairs reliefs were attached with crossed bones and skulls as well as other characters, they are now in the local museum.

Tula and Chichén Itzá

There is an undoubted resemblance to the buildings, the installation and the sculptural decoration of Chichen Itza, the Late Classic Maya city in Yucatan. As an intermediary, the hypothetical Mayan Toltec were considered. Some of the similarities are reinforced by or have ever been caused by that in the reconstruction of the heavily damaged buildings Chichen Itza was selected as a model.

History

The Toltecs wandered around two hundred years after the fall of Teotihuacán in central Mexico and found there in front of a power vacuum. In the 10th Century Tula rose as the dominant power in the region, probably because the city could bring the previously exploited by Teotihuacán obsidian deposits under control. Other important factors were the status as a major transportation hub and high agricultural yields. At the height of the power of Tula had probably around 30,000 inhabitants and was the leading center of obsidian processing. Also show ceramic finds that cultural connections existed to the eastern Mesoamerica both; even multi-colored ceramics from the present-day Costa Rica was discovered. However, the flower of the city did not last long, because the large residential area in the 11th century have been destroyed. When the ceremonial center was destroyed, is still unclear, at least traces of fire were discovered and also traces intentionally demolished pyramids.