Copal is a name given to tree
resin from the copal tree
Protium copal (
Burseraceae) that is particularly identified with the aromatic resins used by the cultures of
pre-Columbian Mesoamerica as ceremonially burned
incense and other purposes. More generally, the term
copal describes resinous substances in an intermediate stage of
polymerization and hardening between "gummier" resins and
amber. The word
copal is derived from the
Nahuatl language word
, meaning "
incense".