[Aztlan] ]Atzlan]Mesoamerican fire

[Sam Edgerton]

Re: Mario Malo's question about making fire in ancient Mesoamerica.  It's 
clear that the Aztecs at least made fire by the twirling stick method. This 
is even illustrated in the famous "Founding of Tenochtitlan" page from the 
Codex Mendoza.  Look at the lower right hand corner on the border strip 
between the day signs One Rabbit and Three Flint, and you'll see a fire 
stick in a hole, where by sharp spinning the stick  against the abrasive 
sides of the hole, friction causes sparks that will ignite dried tender and 
start a fire. The stick in this particular place - just above the day sign 
Two Reed - appropriately indicates the date of the Fifty-two Year "New 
Fire" Ceremony.
Sam Edgerton

http://lanfiles.williams.edu/~sedgerto/CODEXMENDOZA.jpg