Specialization of Labor

Paleobotanic remains have revealed the existence of maize, quenopodium, amaranth, nopal, verdolaga, capulín, and mesquite, as well as maguey and various varieties of wood. A total of 70 percent of the animal remains belong to deer and domestic dog. The earliest manufacturing activity detected so far is the removal of fibers from the maguey plant and obsidian carving. There is evidence of areas in the Coyotlatelco settlement area that specialized in obsidian work and perhaps pottery and small figurines. During the period of its greatest expansion, Tula was producing obsidian both for its own use and for export, 90 percent comprised of green obsidian from Pachuca. Houses also existed that manufactured ceramic conduits for drainage, figurines, vases of tecali (travertine), and textile products.

The archaeological record reveals that Tula received goods from Soconusco in southeast Chiapas (lead ware), as well as Central America (polichrome pottery), the northwest of Mexico (cloisonné enamel ware), serpentine from Guerrero, jadeite from Honduras, and sea conch from both the Pacific and Gulf Coasts. Huastec pottery also has been found in a barrio believed to have been occupied by this group. Exports included obsidian from Pachuca, large incense burners representing Tlaloc, figurines, bowls of tecali and perhaps limestone, all of which, scholars believe, were part of the commercial exchange with the Gulf Coast.

Dan M. Healan has established the existence of three social units within the domestic structure: the nuclear family, the extended family, and the barrios, all of which also reveal socioeconomic differences. To date, the "barrio" unit has only been noted as having a function within a ritual context. The existence of a sole civic-religious precinct could be an indication of the centralization of authority. The abandonment of such areas and alterations in orientation or urban planning have been attributed to struggles for power. There are various opinions on the macroregional organization of the Toltec Empire. Kirchoff, as previously mentioned, proposes a quadripartite division with Tula as the axis. Others suggest the existence of an early "Triple Alliance" of which Tula was a member.