Comparing Tula and Chichen Itza- is the correlation between sites true?

To begin my investigation into the relevancy of a Toltec occupation of Chichen Itza, I eagerly open up google maps. In order to draw comparisons and conclusions, Pyramid B at Tula and the Temple of the Warriors at Chichen Itza are to be investigated.

The first location reached through google maps, is Pyramid B at Tula. Tula de Allende is a town in Eastern Mexico and is best known for the Tula architectural site, and its Atlantean figures. The current Tula de Allende is built upon the Southern extension of the ancient city Tula, which is centred on a former monastery of the 16th century. The area was the capital of one of the major MesoAmerican civilizations occupied and founded by the Toltecs.
Initially when the site is located by google maps, it appears almost like a modern run down small town in Mexico. This is because the ceremonial ancient center of Tula is located outside the modern city.

Figure 1: https://maps.google.ca/maps?client=safari&q=Pyramid+B+tula&oe=UTF-8&ie=UTF-8&hl=en

In order to delineate the two architectural sites, it is important to outline the elements of Toltec architecture. This will allow for similarities and comparisons to be drawn, and further conclusions to be made on the entitling of Chichen Itza as a Toltec site.
Once the archaeological site of Tula was located, the investigation was able to begin.
Toltec architecture was heavily influenced by religion and war. Their temples had flat roofs, were built out of limestone and had the layout of square column halls. The theme of war is relevant in the murals on the walls of the site consisting of gruesome war scenes. Furthermore, the theme of religion is relevant in the many murals and representations of the god Tezcatlipoca. The architectural buildings, and in this case temples/ pyramids and stone sculptures were monumental, bestowing the ancient civilization with the element of grandeur.

Figure 2: https://maps.google.ca/maps?client=safari&q=Pyramid+B+tula&oe=UTF-8&ie=UTF-8&hl=en

Pyramid B is located at the North end of the site, and is part of the square like layout.

Figure 3: George and Eve DeLange, "Tula Toltec Archaeological Ruins", Nov 2011, Delange.Org. http://www.delange.org/Tula/Tula.htm

Pyramid B is formally known as Tlahuizcalpantcuhtli, or the temple of the morning star. Telamons of Tula stand atop of this pyramid (4.6 meter high statues) representing the Toltec gods. It is speculated that these sculptures acted as the columns for a roof the pyramid once had. Connecting back to the key features of Toltec society, it is evident that Pyramid B encompasses all of the above elements.

Figure 4: Backpackingdave.com, "Pyramid B at Tula", http://backpackingdave.com/photogallery_mexico2009.html

llustrated in this image is the grandeur of the pyramid, when comparing the size of the person standing on the staircase in the middle of the pyramid. The flat top theme of Toltec architecture is represented. The theme of war is represented in the statues atop this pyramid, dressed as military warriors. The size of these warrior statues, being 15 feet tall, also reiterates the monumental Toltec architectural style. 

Figure 5: George and Eve DeLange, "Telamons of Tula", Nov 2011, Delange.Org. http://www.delange.org/Tula/Tula.htm

At the foot of the stairs, the white colonnades represent a once shaded area in which priests used to navigate the site. This concept of protecting their religious figures, ties into the Toltec religious architectural elements.

Moving onto the Temple of Warriors at Chichen Itza, once located on google maps, it is evident that this temple encompasses Toltec architectural design.

Figure 6: Wikipedia. "Temple of the Warriors Chichen Itza". http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archivo:Temple_of_the_warriors_chichen_itza.jpg

This temple clearly has the flat top alike that of Pyramid B in Tula. All the columns located within the Pyramid are representations of Toltec warriors, alike that of Tula. The main difference between this Pyramid and Pyramid B of Tula, is the serpent representations in the columns atop the pyramid.

Although there is one architectural difference between the two sites, it is evident that the layout of these pyramids with the central staircase, colonnades located at the base, the actual structures built of stones, specifically basalt and lime stone and military and religious type design within columns and artistic expressions are all from the same influence.

Through the investigation of these two sites, the similarities clearly overcome the one difference, that of the representation of serpent design at Chichen Itza. Therefore I am able to conclude, that yes, indeed the site of Chichen Itza is of Toltec design and dominance.


Thats all for now folks, see you next week
- Ali