Xoconochco: The Aztec Empire's Remote Cacao Trading Powerhouse
The Aztecs, an ancient tribe in Mexico, were once a dominant force at the beginning of the 13th century. According to an encyclopedia entry they are Nahuatl-speaking civilization and occupied what is now central and southern Mexico. No one knows the exact origins of the Aztec tribesmen. Researchers believe their tribe began as a group of hunter-gatherers in their homeland Aztlan-a place which translates to "White Land" in the Aztec language.
In 1428, the Aztecs formed a successful alliance with two powerful tribes to defeat most of their adversaries and conquer the capital of the Tepanec tribe. By the 16th century, the Aztecs were established in over 500 states and ruled over 6 million people-including the residents living in the remote area of Xoconochco.
Xoconochno was named on a sour-tasting cactus that still grows on the mountain slopes to this day. The region was located in a remote area, which meant it received fewer visitors and merchants, making it a more secluded province.
Daring long-distance traders called the pochteca often visited the remote area to trade goods. They bought luxury goods back to the Aztec heartlands. Due to the region's trading opportunities, the Aztec Empire considered Xoconocho more and more important.
The territory was largely responsible for producing cotton clothing, bird feathers, animal skins, and cacao. Its rich soils allowed the Aztecs to sustain large populations and amass great bounties. Cacao was the Xoconochco people's prized possession.
The crop had plenty of uses in ancient Mexico. It was used in chocolate production and as a medium of exchange. It was also very important in religious rituals. Through trading routes, Izapa, a city in the heart of Xoconochco, rose to prominence. The Ancient Mayas, who called the region Zaklohpakab, was one of the region's trading partners.
Many archeologists and historians believe the 260-day calendar was invented in the city. The calendar spread through merchants and traders throughout the rest of ancient Mexico and would later be used in many cultures.
Located between the Sierra Madre de Chiapas and the Pacific Ocean, Xoconochco, which is known as Soconusco, partnered with the Aztec emperor Ahuitzolt in 1486. The territory was an abundant area in ancient times and was described as one of the oldest Mesoamerican settlements.
Ahuizolt, the Aztec Empire's eighth ruler, was known far and wide for planning and overseeing great improvements to the Aztec capital's civic-ceremonial center. He was noted in history as the strongest military leaders of the time. The elites of the Xoconochco region were impressed that they sent word through their trading networks expressing a desire to form an alliance with the Aztec Empire.
The elites formed a secret deal with the young and vibrant emperor. They vowed to become loyal subjects of the empire and offered to aid Ahuitzolt to conquer the northern and eastern lands if the Aztecs would help them.
The region began to decline at around 400 BC. Some speculate the powerful alliance between the township and the empire fell through. No one knows whether the Xoconochco allies were defeated in their quest to conquer ancient Guatemala and Honduras. History also does not have a record if they ever tried to take control of the Mesoamerican lands.
According to tribute and taxation documents, the people of Xoconochco rebelled against imperial authority before the Spanish Conquest dismantled the old trading routes and the political structures of the Aztec Empire.
Today, archeologists are still searching for the site where they believe, the Aztec town set up its military garrison. Most believe the site is located in Soconusco Viejo or Las Gradas. Despite multiple excavations and uncovered artifacts, researchers are still unable to pin down exactly where the prominent trading powerhouse was established.