I have worked for years with an indigenous elder from Mexico City who has a different take on the name Aztlan.
First off, to check the validity of this point of view, his main contention is that you will find no areas, cities, towns or pueblos named with a "z" combined with Atlan... You will find many many many names with just the "atlan" as the suffix, but no aztlans... Anyone beg to differ...
So the story goes, when Cortes inquired as to where this great culture of Tenochitlan came from... "From where did you come? your people?" queried Cortes upon arrival, he was told Atlan. Surrounded by an amazing culture unrivaled in even many parts of Europe, this was a little daunting and problematic. Atlantis? People had heard of Atlantis, but could this be true? A little tricky to rape and pillage a culture of such greatness based on it being inferior and full of godless heathens.
It is at least interesting to consider, if not the best theory I have ever heard. Cbanner (talk) 19:07, 4 July 2010 (UTC)