I chose as an example of their architecture the sacrificial altar shown at the web link below, as an example of the Toltecs’ engineering skill, and of the importance of their worship in their culture. This particular sacrificial altar appears to be possibly either of stone or brick (it is difficult to tell from the photograph), but I thought the shape was interesting and unusual. It is not the usual pyramid shape, and is certainly imposing. As a site of worship, it was built as a monument, and gives the impression of being massive. I would like to have seen a person in this picture, in order to get a sense of scale and size of the structure.
The fact that it is a sacrificial altar is also sobering, and one can only imagine what types of rites may have taken place here to appease the gods. One can also imagine the feelings of the victim approaching this daunting altar – would they be struck with dread, were they drugged as they were presented for sacrifice, or, would their faith make them feel that they were blessed and approaching a rewarding afterlife?
I would like to know more about who built this structure. Did the Toltecs have a specialized group of people strictly for building sites of worship? Did the people building this consider themselves blessed to be chosen to help build it? How long did this take to build?
Ultimately, it was religious and ideological division that led to the downfall of the Toltec nation, but they have left behind some wonderful examples of their culture. Some of these only leave us with more questions.