Tula was the ancient capitol of the Toltecs, the semi-mythical wanderers who established themselves in the valley of Mexico in the early post-classic era. Although early archeologists believed that the real Tula was at Teotihuacan, it has now been generally accepted that this site in modern day Hidalgo state is the authentic capital.

The Toltecs were a nomadic people who were said to have been led south by their first ruler Mixcoatl (cloud-serpent) probably in the early ninth century. They had abondoned their nomadic lifestyle in their ancestral homeland in the north and began to adapt to agriculture, spreading their culture profusely with their adaptation of mesoamerican art and architecture. They were of Chichimec descent, who were considered to be the barbarians who occupied the northern wastelands by the Aztecs.

Legend has it that the Toltecs had a magnificent empire, in a time that was seen as a sort of golden age. They achieved a mastery in art and held sway over almost the entire mesoamerican area from their capital Tollan. This mythical capital was thought to have been a subject of later Aztec legend, but evidence suporting Tula as the historical Tollan has now been proven. Fire damage at the site supports the evidence that in the 12th century the city was destroyed and it's inhabitants migrated in a great diaspora over mesoamerica. In later times people in cities as far south as the Mayan area claimed to have Toltec ancestors.