Analysis and interpretation of iconographic murals of Totómetla, Teotihuacan, State of Mexico

Abstract

The discovery of wall painting fragments in a section of a residential compound representative of buildings known as “palaces” or “apartment compounds” —located near the central area of Teotihuacan— is of great importance both for the variety of iconographic elements represented and for its utility in inferring the function of these residential compounds. A comparative analysis based on the historical continuity of Mesoamerican religion enables us to confirm certain iconographic similarities and to establish a connection between images, myths, and rituals. This paper identifies and interprets the messages contained in the mural fragments and the way they have had symbolic continuity to the Postclassic period.