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

debitage had a symbolic and economic value. I begin with a discussion of two caches
from the R-5 pyramid, and continue with examples from elsewhere in the site.
7.3.2.1: A comparison of Caches R-5-4 and R-5-6. Technological and contextual
analyses of obsidian eccentrics and production debitage from the Piedras Negras have
identified flaking patterns that indicate a connection between production techniques and
the symbolism of the eccentric. The form and technology of the eccentrics embody an
elaborate symbol system rendered in stone. Many classes of eccentrics represent natural
and supernatural elements and beings (Figure 7.9) that were deposited ritualistically
during the production of temples and carved stone monuments (Escobedo and Hruby
2002; Meadows 2001; Schele and Freidel 1990). At Piedras Negras and Tikal, in
particular, symbolic forms repeat in local caches over a period of centuries. Elaborate
production techniques also are repeated, suggesting that traditions probably were passed
on from one generation of knappers to the next.
For example, two caches from the R-5 pyramid, excavated by Héctor Escobedo
(Escobedo and Zamora 1999, 2000; Escobedo and Hruby 2002), contain two sets of nine
obsidian eccentrics of the same symbolic form, probably evoking specific gods (Hruby
2001, 2003). These caches, R-5-4 and R-5-6, were found in the platform of Temple R-5,
the likely burial place of Ruler 1. The obsidian eccentrics from these caches reveal the
importance of the relationship between the flake and the symbolic form of the notched
flake and blade eccentrics. The caches were deposited as part of two distinct rituals--as a
substela cache of Stelae 37 (Figure 7.10), and as a column altar cache 20 (Figure 7.11)--
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