tetelli (CQ)

tetelli (CQ)
Element from a Compound

Glyph or Iconographic Image Description: 

This black-line drawing of a small pyramid has been carved from the compound glyph for the place name Cuetzpaltepetonco. It consists of three graduated, stepped rectangles, getting smaller as they go up.

Description, Credit: 

Stephanie Wood

Added Analysis: 

We are calling this glyph a tetelli based upon its similarity to another stepped pyramid from the Codex Mendoza (see below). In the Quetzalecatepec Codex this small architectural structure appears to play a semantic rather than a phonetic role in the place name, but the word "Tetellan" (a place of stepped pyramids) does appear on the manuscript, which supports our reading. This place might have a pyramid or, now, the remnants of one. For comparison, see other stepped structures with different names below. The tzacualli seems to be a bit taller. The teopan has a stairway and is articulated.

Added Analysis, Credit: 

Stephanie Wood

Gloss Image: 
Gloss Diplomatic Transcription: 

tetella-

Gloss Normalization: 

Tetellan

Gloss Analysis, Credit: 

Stephanie Wood

Source Manuscript: 
Quetzalecatzin, Codex (CQ)
Date of Manuscript: 

covers ruling men and women of Tecamachalco through 1593

Creator's Location (and place coverage): 

southern Puebla state

Semantic Categories: 
place name
Syntax: 
noun(s)
Cultural Content & Iconography: 
Architecture, Construction, Buildings
Names (places)
Religion (Indigenous)
Socio-Political Units, Cities, Towns, Neighborhoods
Stones, Rocks, Lapidary, Masonry
Cultural Content, Credit: 

Randall Rodríguez

Colors: 
black & white drawing (no color)
Shapes and Perspectives: 
frontal view
pyramidal
rectangular
stepped
Other Cultural Influences: 
Mixtec
Keywords: 

pyramids, pirámides, temples, templos, places, lugares, mounds, montículos

Glyph or Iconographic Image: 
Relevant Nahuatl Dictionary Word(s): 

tetel(li), stepped pyramid, https://nahuatl.wired-humanities.org/content/tetelli

Glyph/Icon Name, Spanish Translation: 

la pirámide o el montículo

Spanish Translation, Credit: 

Stephanie Wood

Image Source: 

The Codex Quetzalecatzin, aka Mapa de Ecatepec-Huitziltepec, Codex Ehecatepec-Huitziltepec, or Charles Ratton Codex. Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/item/2017590521/

Image Source, Rights: 

The Library of Congress, current custodian of this pictorial Mexican manuscript, hosts a digital version online. It is not copyright protected.

Historical Contextualizing Image: 
See Also: 

Cuetzpaltepetonco (CQ)

tetelli (Mdz48r)

tzacualli (Mdz6r)

teopantli (Mdz37r)

cuetzpalin (CQ)