While the archaeology of the Northern Frontier of Mesoamerica is poorly understood, Pedro Armillas' hypothesis that climatically induced environmental change was the limiting factor for cultural change has become the ruling theory. In order to test this hypothesis original lacustrine pollen profiles were compared with a detailed inspection of the known archaeological record and the previously published paleoecological record. The archaeological evidence suggests that there was a dense human occupation in the northern reaches of Mesoamerica between about AD 600-900. The first indications of human settlements are related to the Chupicuaro culture that reached its apogee about 2000 years ago located along the Rio Lerma. A rustic variant of the Chupicuaro culture spread north and is associated with scattered hamlets. About AD 600 the sedentary population expanded considerably in conjunction with the development of regional centers and the Coyotlatelco red-on-buff ceramic tradition. This expansion can be seen all along the Northern Frontier of Mesoamerica from Alta Vista south to Tula. Between AD 900-1000 there was a dramatic change in settlement patterns and by about AD 1000 most of the northern reaches of Mesoamerica were once again under the control of semi-nomadic hunters and gatherers. A suite of four cores was collected in a transect that crosses the Northern Frontier of Mesoamerica. The goal of selecting sites that minimized human impact was not altogether successful since these cores identify the impact of agriculture. Within the limits of the dating and material available, the pollen profiles from these cores suggest an environmental change between AD 1000 and 1500. From the data available it is not clear if this change, or changes, was the result of changes in human settlement patterns or climatic change. As such Armillas' hypothesis remains unproven.

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The terms "core" and "periphery" have a long history of use for describing regional variability in the archaeological record. Contemporary theories for the late prehistoric in the Greater Southwest often follow this tradition, postulating underlying social processes that created this division. This dissertation examines the assumptions and the evidence for theories of long-distance social interaction by considering the prehistory of the Northern Sierra, a region in the south-central Greater Southwest located in northwestern Chihuahua, northeastern Sonora, southwestern New Mexico, and southeastern Arizona. Paquime (sometimes called Casas Grandes) in Chihuahua is widely considered to be the core of late prehistoric developments in the Northern Sierra. The history of research and interpretation of the region are carefully considered, an analysis that demonstrates the inadequacies of current data and theory. New frameworks will be needed to resolve disputed issues. Towards this end, evidence of interaction at Paquime is examined by analyzing the quantity and distribution of nonlocal ceramics within the site. These probable exchange items are found to be relatively rare and their distribution diffuse, indicating acquisition was largely casual and infrequent. Attention is then focused on the postulated periphery by examining the upper San Bernardino Valley in the extreme southeastern corner of Arizona. Data collected for this examination includes survey within the Valley and excavation of the late prehistoric Boss Ranch Site (AZ FF:7:10 (ASM)). The interpretive concerns that are addressed include (1) population movements, (2) external influences on settlement systems, (3) trade and interaction, and (4) the influences of subsistence systems. The analysis revealed no evidence of population intrusion from the "core" and few aspects of local material culture that could be ascribed to Paquime. Exchange items are rare, and the probable sources include many areas besides the zone around Paquime. Furthermore, excavation data suggest that settlements may have been occupied repeatedly for short periods. This undermines notions of stable core and periphery interaction by indicating the absence of surplus crops, stable social alliances, and hierarchical settlement systems in the region.

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The accompanying dissertation presents a synthesis of Toltec history based on new materials including in situ inscription, Mixtec historical codices, and central highland redacted texts that have not heretofore been applied to Toltec studies. In addition, the traditional sources have been reexamined in light of these new materials. After considering research methods and methodology this dissertation examines personal and place-name naming systems given by the Mixtec codices and in situ inscriptions. In addition, a study of the semiotics of Meso-american authority and power is carried out. The Mixtec central highland and Maya chronologies are examined and a trial Toltec chronology is presented. The Toltec dynastic sequence is discussed in terms of its most likely placement in the trial chronology. This presentation serves to introduce the reader to the various ruler lists and their interpretation. The bulk of the dissertation presents a period by period expository history of the Toltecs. First the dissertation undertakes the study of Mixtec and Toltec origins and emphasizes the War of Heaven and the pro-Tula history of the central highlands. Next, Toltec expansion during the reigns of 8 Deer Jaguar Claw and 4 Jaguar is examined. After this the reigns and history of Mixcoatl and Quetzalcoatl are discussed. This discussion emphasizes the role of Chichen Itza and southern Meso-america in Toltec history. Then the dissertation examines the reigns of the last Toltec kings, the Toltec collapse and the rise of post-Toltec-Chichimec dynasts. Finally a processual model emphasizing hierarchy theory is applied to the problem of collapsing civilizations. In writing this dissertation I have made use of most probable best fit scenarios. Such models are often created through employing repeated retroductive testing of multiple hypotheses, but in the long run inductive processes predominate. Hence this thesis is directed toward historical critical rather than processual analysis. In a hopefully best sense this dissertation, although based on historical critical paradigms, is intended as a humanistic as well as a scientific endeavor.

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