copal

thumb|Copal from Madagascar with [[spiders, termites, ants, elateridae, hymenoptera, cockroach and a flower]] thumb|A sample of copal containing a few termites

Copal is a tree resin, particularly the aromatic resins from the copal tree Protium copal (Burseraceae) used by the cultures of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica as ceremonially burned incense and for other purposes. More generally, copal includes resinous substances in an intermediate stage of polymerization and hardening between "gummier" resins and amber. Copal that is partly mineralized is known as copaline.