The Mexica trade involved a wide variety of goods, and the diversity of the goods was one of the keys to the importance of the long-distance trade. The most important goods included gold, silver, copper, cacao, cotton, feathers, jaguar skins, eagle skins, rubber, obsidian, jade, turquoise. The goods came from across Mesoamerica, and they reflected the rich natural and cultural resources of the region.
Food and Agricultural Products
The most important category of trade goods was food and agricultural products, and these were transported across the Mexica trade networks in large quantities. The most important food items included maize, beans, chia, amaranth, chayote, tomatoes, and chili peppers. The food was typically transported by porters, and it was sold in the markets along the trade routes.
The most valuable food item was cacao, which was used both as a food and as a form of money. The cacao was imported from the Gulf Coast, and it was an important source of wealth for the Mexica state.
Cloth and Textiles
The second most important category of trade goods was cloth and textiles, and these were transported across the Mexica trade networks in significant quantities. The most important textile items included cotton cloth, maguey fiber cloth, and a variety of decorative textiles.
The cotton was particularly important, since it was imported from the Gulf Coast, and it was used to make the high-quality cloth that was reserved for the nobility and the wealthy commoners. The maguey fiber cloth was less prestigious, but it was widely used by the common people.
Feathers and Luxury Items
The trade also included a wide range of feathers and luxury items, and these were among the most prestigious goods in the Mexica economy. The most important featherwork items included the long green feathers of the quetzal bird, which were reserved for the Tlatoani and for the high priests. The feathers were imported from the highlands of Guatemala, and they were among the most valuable items in the Mexica state.
The trade also included gold, silver, copper, jade, turquoise, jaguar skins, eagle skins, and many other luxury items. The luxury items were used to reward the nobility and the priesthood, and they were part of the political and religious life of the Mexica state.
The Regional Specialization
The trade was also characterized by regional specialization, with different regions producing different goods. The Gulf Coast was famous for its cacao, cotton, and rubber, and the highlands of Guatemala were famous for their obsidian, jade, and quetzal feathers. The Pacific coast was famous for its gold and copper, and the Tarascan frontier was famous for its metals.
The regional specialization shaped the Mexica economic system, and it allowed the Mexica to acquire a wide range of goods from across the empire. The pochteca were skilled in the navigation of the trade routes, and they were able to transport the goods efficiently across the empire.
The Survival of the Trade Goods
Many of the trade goods have survived in the modern Mexican culture, and they continue to be important elements of the Mexican national identity. The cacao tradition has become a global industry, the featherwork tradition has survived in some indigenous communities, and the cotton and other textiles remain part of the Mexican craft tradition. The trade goods are also widely remembered in Mexican popular culture and in the national mythology, and they shape the Mexican cultural heritage.
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