During the excavation of this "starfish stela" quite a collection of very interesting flint ornaments, 24 in number, came to light. Among them were crescents, such as are seen as ear ornaments on certain stelæ of Yāxhá and Tikal, several curved or even S-shaped pieces, which, perhaps, were used as nose ornaments, a serrated lance and a serrated plate, a piece in the shape of a cross, and one composed of three leaves, a double lance, single lances, etc.
We may assume that near many stelæ, as well as in the interior or on the exterior of temples, in addition to incense burners and sacrificial bowls, there were placed certain death's-head masks or other figures of perishable material tricked out with ornaments, feathers, and locks of hair, which have long since mouldered away, leaving behind only those of indestructible stone. For elsewhere, in the vicinity of stelæ, objects of flint and obsidian are found in addition to pottery sherds.[41]
It will be seen that figure [43], a, from Naranjo is practically identical with figure [44]; h, from Benque Viejo, as is figure [43], c, from Naranjo with figure [40], d, from Benque Viejo, and figure [43], k, from Naranjo with figure [44], k, from Benque Viejo, while the objects shown in figure [43], h, l, m, respectively, from Naranjo very closely resemble those seen in figure [44], o, a, l, from Benque Viejo.
Fig. 44.—Objects from Benque Viejo.
Close to Succots, which is an extension of the village of Benque Viejo, a small mound was opened by Dr. Davis some years ago, within which were found the objects illustrated in figure [45]. These are all of obsidian and of very eccentric and irregular shapes. The object shown in figure [45], c, closely resembles that shown in figure [43], c, from Naranjo, and that in figure [40], d, from Benque Viejo, and still more closely figure [44], p, from Benque Viejo, both being made of obsidian.