Brooke Martin
Candles have been used as a source of light for over 5,000 years, with the earliest use often attributed to the Ancient Egyptians. While Mesoamerica was home to several advanced ancient civilizations, including the Aztecs, Mayas, and Incas, there is little evidence to suggest that they used candles. Lamps were certainly used in the arctic, and candles of a sort were used by the northwest coast peoples, but there are few references to candles or lamps in early America. Objects that could be candle holders have been found in Mesoamerica, but it is unclear if these were used for candles or not.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mesoamerican Candles | There is no evidence of Mesoamericans using candles before Christopher Columbus arrived in America. However, there is evidence of lamps being used in the arctic/subarctic regions of pre-Columbian America. |
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What You'll Learn
Mesoamericans likely had access to lamps and torches
Mesoamerica refers to a historical region in Central America that includes present-day southern Mexico, all of Guatemala and Belize, and parts of Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. While there is limited evidence of candle usage in pre-Columbian America, it is likely that Mesoamericans had access to lamps and torches as primary sources of light.
Lamps and torches were commonly used by ancient civilizations worldwide, including the Greeks, Romans, and Chinese, before the widespread adoption of candles. In pre-Columbian America, there is some evidence suggesting the use of lamps and torches in certain regions. For example, oil lamps have been found in arctic and subarctic cultures, such as the Inuit, who used lamps known as Kudlik. Additionally, the northwest coast peoples utilized a local fish called Eulachon, or candlefish, which contains a significant amount of oil, by inserting a wick and lighting it.
While specific references to lamps and torches in Mesoamerica are scarce, it is reasonable to assume that they were accessible and utilized by the various Mesoamerican cultures. The Mesoamerican region was home to several advanced civilizations, such as the Maya, Aztec, and Inca, who demonstrated significant technological and cultural advancements. These civilizations are known for their sophisticated architecture, complex social structures, and innovative agricultural practices.
Therefore, it is highly probable that Mesoamericans had access to lamps and torches, even if they did not widely use candles. The lack of widespread candle usage in pre-Columbian America may be due to the availability of other light sources, such as torches and oil lamps, which were commonly used in ancient civilizations. Additionally, the materials commonly used for candle-making, such as tallow and beeswax, may have been less accessible or less culturally significant in Mesoamerica compared to other regions.
Furthermore, the use of torches and lamps aligns with the technological capabilities and resources available to Mesoamerican civilizations. For example, the Maya civilization was known for its advanced knowledge of fire and combustion, as evidenced by their use of fire in various aspects of their daily lives, including cooking, heating, and religious rituals. Thus, the adoption of torches and lamps as sources of light aligns with their cultural practices and technological understanding.
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Candles were used by the ancient Greeks, Romans, and Chinese
Candles have been used as a source of light for thousands of years, and while little is known about their origin, they were certainly used by the ancient Greeks, Romans, and Chinese.
The ancient Romans are generally credited with developing the wicked candle by dipping rolled papyrus repeatedly in melted tallow or beeswax. They used these candles to light their homes, to aid travellers at night, and in religious ceremonies.
The ancient Greeks of the “Classical Era” (c.500-336 B.C.) likely knew about candles and candlesticks, but probably used oil lamps instead due to the cheap availability of olive oil. However, beeswax candles were definitely known to them, as Xenophon mentions them in his work, "The Symposium".
The ancient Chinese also used candles, with the first candle believed to be made in China from whale fat during the Qin Dynasty (221–206 BC). They were also made of wax from insects and seeds, wrapped in paper. During the Tang dynasty (618-907), there are numerous records of candle-making and usage, and during the Sung Dynasty (960-1279), candles were used as a means of measuring the passage of time. By the Ming and Qing dynasties, candles had become widespread and were found in almost every Chinese house. Today, candles continue to be popular in China, especially during holiday seasons and religious ceremonies.
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The Inuit used 'candlefish' as a source of light
Candles have been used as a source of light for over 5,000 years, but their exact origin is unknown. The ancient Egyptians are often credited with the earliest use of candles, but they did not have wicks. The ancient Romans are generally believed to have developed wicked candles before the Egyptians by dipping rolled papyrus in melted tallow or beeswax.
However, in pre-Columbian America, there is little evidence of candles or lamps. While there are examples of pre-Columbian art showing torches, there are none depicting lamps or candles. Resinous torches of pine wood (ocotl) were used indoors, and huge braziers piled with resinous wood were used outdoors for public lighting during religious ceremonies.
One exception to the lack of candles in pre-Columbian America is the use of candlefish, or eulachon (Thaleichtys pacificus), by the Inuit and other Northwest Coast peoples. Candlefish are small fish that are so oily that they can ignite when dried. The locals would insert a wick into a dried fish and light it. The grease extracted from the eulachon was also used for medicine, high-energy food, and as a valuable trading commodity. The Nisga'a people, for example, still consume eulachon oil for its nutritional and medicinal properties today.
The use of candlefish as a source of light and the trade of eulachon grease were integral parts of Aboriginal culture and history. Unfortunately, since Europeans began overfishing the seas, the numbers of eulachon have plummeted, and they are now a protected species.
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Lamps and candle holders existed in post-Columbian America
The existence of lamps and candle holders in post-Columbian America is a topic that has piqued the interest of historians and archaeologists alike. While there is limited evidence of candles in pre-Columbian America, the situation was different for the post-Columbian era.
Lamps and candle holders did exist in post-Columbian America, as evidenced by archaeological findings and historical sources. For example, images and artefacts of post-Columbian lamps and candle holders have been discovered, providing valuable insights into the lighting practices of this era. One such artefact, dating back to around 1000 CE, was found at the L'Anse Aux Meadows site in modern-day Newfoundland, Canada. This discovery sheds light on the cultural practices and lighting technologies of the time.
The use of lamps and candles in post-Columbian America was influenced by various factors, including cultural traditions and available resources. While candles were not as prevalent as they were in other parts of the world, they did play a role in certain contexts. For example, candles were used in religious ceremonies and to provide illumination during celebrations.
The materials used for lamp and candle production also varied across different cultures and regions. In some cases, lamps were crafted from pottery or stone, while candles were made from natural fats, tallow, and wax. The specific types of wax used could include beeswax, whale fat, or plant-based waxes, depending on what was locally available.
The existence of lamps and candle holders in post-Columbian America adds to our understanding of the technological advancements and cultural practices of the time. While they may not have been as commonly used as in other regions, their presence and usage provide valuable insights into the daily lives and traditions of the people who inhabited post-Columbian America.
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Mesoamericans may have had candles but there is no evidence
The Mesoamericans may have had candles, but there is little to no evidence to support this claim.
Candles are thought to have originated in the Bronze Age, with ancient Greeks, Romans, and Chinese using them within the 1st millennium BC. While there is evidence of candle usage in the Old World, the same cannot be said for the Americas before the arrival of Columbus. Lamps were used in the arctic, where they were known as Kudlik, and the only evidence of candles in early America points to the northwest coast, where locals used a fish called Eulachon or candlefish, which contains a lot of oil. They inserted a wick into a dried fish and lit it.
There is a lack of evidence to suggest that Mesoamericans used candles, and the vastness of the area, the huge timescale, and the numerous cultures involved make it challenging to determine with certainty. However, it is worth noting that lamps and candle holders from post-Columbian times have been found, indicating that these items may have been introduced to the region after European contact.
Some sources mention the use of torches and oil lamps in Mesoamerican cultures like the Aztecs, Incas, and Maya, but these sources do not provide credible evidence of candle usage. It is important to note that the absence of evidence does not necessarily prove that candles were not present in pre-Columbian America, but the lack of widespread evidence suggests that their usage, if any, was limited.
While it is possible that Mesoamericans had some form of candles, the lack of concrete evidence makes it difficult to confirm their existence. Therefore, we can only speculate about their presence and assume that if they did exist, they were not widely used.
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Frequently asked questions
There is little evidence to suggest that pre-Columbian America had candles, with the exception of the Inuit and the candlefish on the northwest coast.
Torches and oil lamps were used in Mesoamerica.
Candles were made by dipping rolled papyrus repeatedly in melted tallow or beeswax.
Mesoamerican candles were likely made from plant materials dipped in animal fat.
