The Organization of Chipped-Stone Economies at Piedras Negras ...

Finally, Table 7.3 lists the production evidence for obsidian eccentrics at the site.
The only residential groups that feature obsidian eccentric production evidence are
Operation 33 and 46. These groups also happen to be those that feature the longest
history of obsidian blade production. It is possible that other residential groups also
manufactured obsidian eccentrics, but no evidence has yet been discovered. During the
Yaxche phase, Operation 33 has the only sample of eccentric production evidence with
three flakes. Operation 46 and 33 both yielded eccentric production evidence during the
early and Late Chacalhaaz subphases. These results show that the royal palace and
residential groups from the site center were involved to an unknown degree in the
production of obsidian eccentrics for royal consumption.
7.2.1.3: Summary of production evidence. The production of chipped-stone goods
appears to have been restricted during some time periods, but it is relatively rare.
Obsidian in particular was restricted during the Early and Late Yaxche subphases, and
also during the Kumche phase. During the Yaxche phase, residential groups on the
acropolis and in the U Group were the only major blade-producers thus far identified
(Figure 7.7). It is important to note that the production of chipped-stone goods crosscut
status boundaries, and was not solely a royal or commoner craft. The number of
production locales increased during the Chacalhaaz phase (Figure 7.8). Production
continued in the U group and the acropolis, but also occurred in other households
throughout the city center and into the near periphery. The Chacalhaaz phase reveals a
marked increase in the frequency of obsidian debitage, which can be explained in a
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