DIEHL, Richard A. (1974). “Summary and Conclusions”.

En Studies of Ancient Tollan:

A Report of The University of Missouri Tula Archaeological Project (pp. 190-195).

Economic Development and Tula’s Rise

“Economic development must have been an important factor behind Tula’s emergence
as a major political power. Though data is lacking, I suspect Tula was a minor regional
center in late Teotihuacan times and that it paid tribute to Teotihuacán. As
Teotihuacan’s hegemony over Mesoamerica weakened, Tula was able to break away
from it and establish control over the obsidian sources previously integrated into
Teotihuacan’s economy. Tula attempted to establish itself as Teotihuacan’s replacement
by controlling the resource areas and trade routes that Teotihuacan had maintained. It
was only partially successful, however, its control of the obsidian trade did enable it to
become the dominant center in the northern Basin of Mexico and it was able to expand
its control north and westward. Its expansion to the south was blocked by Cholula;
Tajin, and Cempoala successfully resisted it on the east. The competing centers
prevented Tula from establishing Teotihuacan-like hegemony over southern
Mesoamerica but at least commercial relations were vigorously maintained with the
Maya speaking areas” (p. 194).