Explanations for the emergence of the Aztec state
need to consider changes in the climate and the potential
effects resulting from these changes on the productivity
of the lake network in the Valley of Mexico. Change in
the human ecosystem is a complex process of interactions
between multiple cultural variables and the environment.
In this study, I examine the nature of three primary resources,
fish, salt, and waterfowl, available for Early Aztec–period
exploitation within the valley lake system. The intensification
of lacustrine resource exploitation appears to be correlated
with changing climatic conditions that occurred about a.d.
1150. Although the focus of this study is be on the cause-and-effect
relationship between culture and environment, it is acknowledged
that the environment is just one factor that must be considered
to fully understand initial Aztec development.