The Growth of Piedras Negras, Guatemala

Lithics

The lithic artifacts recovered from residential contexts show specialization in some tool categories. Lithic artifacts were manufactured from chert (bifaces, axes, scrapers), obsidian (blades), limestone (metates), and other rarer material (quartzite, basalt, pumice). The quantities suggest that chert dominated the local economy with imported obsidian second. While each residence had some chert and obsidian tools, in particular the U group residences provide the most evidence of obsidian (and chert) reduction.

The majority of the chert tools recovered were made from local material likely obtained from outcrops found along the banks of the Usumacinta (Hruby 1998). Common chert tools like bifaces were recovered from all over the center in varying quantities (Figure 7). Hammerstones, manos, scrapers and axes were also common in and around the center. Agricultural celts were discovered around the R group residences (in the middle of the center) and to the south in the V group. Laurel leaf bifaces were found in the R, U and E groups. Chert was an available material and probably facilitated the growth of Piedras Negras – with its location on chert bearing strata. Although tools were recovered from all over the site, few areas actually have evidence of chert tool production. One such place is the U group residences, mentioned previously.

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Obsidian had to be imported into the center. The main source of obsidian for Piedras Negras was El Chayal, but other sources have been identified such as Ixtepeque, San Martín Jilotepeque, Zaragoza, and Pachuca (Hruby 1998:373, Figure 1). Obsidian arrived at Piedras Negras in the form of prepared polyhedral cores (Hruby 1998). These cores were then reduced into prismatic blades near the residences of the U group. Although most of the cores were destined to become blades, some of the cores were also turned into obsidian eccentrics (ibid). Most of the residential areas excavated had obsidian blades, but one group in particular had double the amount of blades than any other group, the U-5 patio group.

Limestone was a common building and metate material. Most metates discovered were made of limestone. A frequent metate form is the shallow basin, fashioned from a round boulder or outcrop of limestone. Metates are generally ground until the metate breaks. Limestone metates are believed to be softer than other stones, and would need to be replaced more frequently, hence around a single group the remains of 32 different metates were discovered. Additionally, a few limestone columns were discovered which may relate to household ritual.

Some miscellaneous lithics were also recovered. A bark-beater was found in the U group. This quartzite tool is one of two found within Piedras Negras, indicating that bark-cloth was not a dominant activity within the center (Nelson 2002). Metates were also made from a blue-green schist and basalt. Likewise, small quartzite cobbles were used as hammerstones and expedient tools. Pumice was found throughout the center possibly for use in sweatbaths. Stalactites were also discovered in small quantities within the center. A few jade ornaments were found in residential contexts, consisting of necklace beads or tooth inlays. These are quite rare overall.

The preceding observations on the lithic material from Piedras Negras indicate the variety of materials and tools that the Maya used within residential contexts. Chert and limestone occurred locally around the center and were the most used. Obsidian blades are common at the center, despite the possible difficulty in procuring the material from El Chayal, located near Kaminaljuyú, Guatemala. In addition to obsidian, some metates, fine cherts, jade and other lithic materials were imported into the center in small quantities. Thus, some trading occurred with other regions and cities round about.

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