Aztecs collected tribute, or taxes, from the peoples and land under their control. Tribute included such everyday things as cotton, maize and beans, as well as rare and precious goods such as deerskins, feathers, gold, jade and turquoise. It is often thought that gold was the Aztecs’ most prized material, but in fact jade, turquoise and featherwork were considered much more important. These materials were fashioned into works of outstanding beauty. The Aztecs were quick to recognise and exploit the skills of other people, such as the Mixtecs of southern Mexico who produced fine books and goldwork, and the people of Puebla and Cholula who were famed for their ceramics.

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