Teotihuacán de Arista in Teotihuacán, Mexico State, Mexico — The Central Highlands (North America)

A Ceremonial Incense Burner

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, June 28, 2017

1. A Ceremonial Incense Burner Marker

Inscription.
Brasero ceremonial Esta escultura hecha en roca volcánica fue descubierta en 1906 por Don Leopoldo Batres en la parte superior de la plataforma adosada a la Pirámide del Sol. Su descubridor consideró que probablemente era un brasero ceremonial y se utilizaba para contener el fuego sagrado en los eventos religiosos, tal y como lo describió:

"Sobre el plano superior horizontal del templo central de tres cuerpos, descubrí un gran brasero que afecta la forma de una doble copa, ceñida por el centro con una banda que parece sujetar dos cuadretes que, colocados lateralmente opuestos en las paredes exteriores del vaso, llevan esculpidos los calabrotes retorcidos iguales a los de los tableros y además cuatro barras atadas por el centro. Probablemente este brasero servía para encender el fuego en la renovación de ese elemento sagrado, cada siglo de 52 años, como los mexicanos"

Náhuatl:
Brasero ceremonial Inin tlacuicuiliztli in tlen oquichiuhque ipan in tetl in tlen itec in tepetl in tlen tletl xitini, inin mixpantia ica ce popochcomitl. Inin omixpanti ipan 1909 xihuitl ipampa in Don Leopoldo Batres, icpac in tlaltetzontli

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in tlen icuitlapa quipepetzoque ipampa in Tonatiuh Teocalli. In aquin oquixpanti tlaneltoca mate inin monequia ipampa in quenin monenechicohuaya in tlecontli in cuac moteochinuaya, in quenin ohquion oquicuilo ipan ixtlanonotzalli in queman otlatatacac: Icpac in tlatetzontli in tlen onca patlahuac ipan in yoloteocalli in tlen yeyi caltepamitl quipiya, onicàcic ce hueyi popochcomitl in tlen mixnextia in quenin oome tecontin, ihuan ipan itlacotian quipiya ce ilpicatl, in tien cuali mixneci mate quilpiya in ome nanauhpa tlacuiliztin, in tlen mixnánamiqui itec in atecontic, ihuan mochi quihuihuica in tlen itoca malinqui calabrotes, in tlen mochi moxayacatia in tlen ipan in xolalpa caté ihuan ica nahui tlacuimelaztique in tlen ilpitoque ipan iyolo. Mate inin popochcomitl monequia in queman quitlaliaya in tlanextli in queman, moteopatlaya in tlecontli, in queman moneltocaya in cuac tlalpolohuaya, ipan 52 xihuitl, in quenin quichihuaya in mexica tlatlaca.

English:
A Ceremonial Incense Burner This sculpture, in volcanic rock, depicts a ceremonial brazier. It was discovered atop the platform annexed to the Pyramid of the Sun by Leopoldo

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, June 28, 2017

2. A Ceremonial Incense Burner Marker

The marker is the farthest to the left. Unfortunately it does not appear that the incense burner mentioned in the marker text is still present in the area. The next marker to the right is "Construction Systems at the Pyramid of the Sun". Further to the right (south) along the pyramid's face is the marker "Sculptures of the Adorned Platform".

Batres in 1906. Its discoverer believed that it was probably used for holding the sacred fire during religious events, as he points out in the reports on his excavations:

“On the upper horizontal plane of the three-tiered central temple, I discovered a large brazier which affects the shape of a double goblet encircled at the middle with a band made to look like it holds in place two small squares which, positioned oppositely on the outer part of the vessel's walls, exhibit carvings of twisted cords just like those on the panels, in addition to four bars knotted in the middle. This brazier was probably used to light the fire in the renovation of that sacred element every period of 52 years, as the Mexicas did.”

Erected by Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (INAH).

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Architecture • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1906.

Location. 19° 41.586′ N, 98° 50.684′ W. Marker is in Teotihuacán de Arista, Estado de Mexico (Mexico State), in

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, June 28, 2017

3. A Ceremonial Incense Burner Marker

The marker is the farthest to the left in this view of the Pyramid of the Sun.

Teotihuacán. It can be reached from Calle Paloma just west of Calle Tuxpan. This marker is along the northwest corner of the Pyramid of the Sun at the Teotihuacan Archaeological Site. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Teotihuacán de Arista MEX 55880, Mexico. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Mexico

and specifically in Mexico City Metropolitan Area.

Globally, it is in North America,

specifically in Mesoamerica,

on the Ring of Fire,

and in the Western Hemisphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

a Spanish colony,

and the Aztec Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Importance of the Pyramid of the Sun (within shouting distance of this marker); The Meaning of the Pyramid of the Sun (within shouting distance of this marker); Pyramid of the Sun (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named The Pyramid of the Sun (about 90 meters away); Teotihuacan After Its Abandonment (about 180 meters away); Construction Systems of the Pyramid of the Sun (about 210 meters away);

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Mural del Puma / The Puma Mural (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); The History of Teotihuacán (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Teotihuacán de Arista.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 18, 2017, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 327 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 18, 2017, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia.