DYNASTS AND REVOLUTIONISTS: A SYNTHESIS OF TOLTEC CHRONOLOGY AND HISTORY (ETHNOHISTORY, MESOAMERICA, MEXICO).

Abstract

The accompanying dissertation presents a synthesis of Toltec history based on new materials including in situ inscription, Mixtec historical codices, and central highland redacted texts that have not heretofore been applied to Toltec studies. In addition, the traditional sources have been reexamined in light of these new materials. After considering research methods and methodology this dissertation examines personal and place-name naming systems given by the Mixtec codices and in situ inscriptions. In addition, a study of the semiotics of Meso-american authority and power is carried out. The Mixtec central highland and Maya chronologies are examined and a trial Toltec chronology is presented. The Toltec dynastic sequence is discussed in terms of its most likely placement in the trial chronology. This presentation serves to introduce the reader to the various ruler lists and their interpretation. The bulk of the dissertation presents a period by period expository history of the Toltecs. First the dissertation undertakes the study of Mixtec and Toltec origins and emphasizes the War of Heaven and the pro-Tula history of the central highlands. Next, Toltec expansion during the reigns of 8 Deer Jaguar Claw and 4 Jaguar is examined. After this the reigns and history of Mixcoatl and Quetzalcoatl are discussed. This discussion emphasizes the role of Chichen Itza and southern Meso-america in Toltec history. Then the dissertation examines the reigns of the last Toltec kings, the Toltec collapse and the rise of post-Toltec-Chichimec dynasts. Finally a processual model emphasizing hierarchy theory is applied to the problem of collapsing civilizations. In writing this dissertation I have made use of most probable best fit scenarios. Such models are often created through employing repeated retroductive testing of multiple hypotheses, but in the long run inductive processes predominate. Hence this thesis is directed toward historical critical rather than processual analysis. In a hopefully best sense this dissertation, although based on historical critical paradigms, is intended as a humanistic as well as a scientific endeavor.