The origin of the Tolteca culture took place in a time when the Center of Mexico still lived a situation of uncertainty, which derived, in good measure, because of the arrival to the region of diverse migrant groups, two of those were, the nonoalcas and the toltecas-chichimecas, whom would give place to the foundation of Tula.

The group known as the tolteca-chichimeca, would had their origin in the region where the so called Chalchihuites culture was developed, located to the north of Mesoamerica.

During the Early Postclassic (900-1200 D.C.), the Toltecas were the dominant group of great part of Mesoamerica, area where characteristic features of that culture were distributed. One can observe the same elements like the ceramic and the architecture, as well as the ritual practices and ideological precepts, associated mainly to the genuineness of the rulers.

The area of full Tolteca domain included a significant part of the Center of Mexico, of which Tula obtained the necessary products for its numerous population's maintenance. In this area one can find places like: Tlalpizahuac, Otumba, and Huapalcalco. Although it is said that the Toltecas had capacity to conquer more distant areas, it is possible that the relationship with them were based rather on the cultural exchange and the establishment of bonds between elites.

Around 1000 D.C. Tula faced internal conflicts that forced some of its inhabitants to emigrate, and on the long run to dominate cities as important as Cholula. Towards 1100 D.C. the Tolteca capital (Tula) was in a process that would lead to its decadence and to lose its roll as a head establishment of the Center of Mexico.