Dialogues in Cuban Archaeology

142 / Valcárcel Rojas and Rodríguez Arce
copper, and silver and the guanín bell belong to a non-Antillean typology.
J. R. Oliver (2000:201, 216n.37) considers that the bird piece could have originated
from the Caribbean coast of Colombia, perhaps related to the Tairona
culture. It is unknown how and when it was introduced to the island, but in
any case the distinctive character that these objects lent their users is notable
during both the pre-Hispanic period and after the European invasion. It is
important to mention that while the speci¤c relations between this community
and the Europeans are not clear, the presence of three skeletons (nos. 39,
69, 84) with postcolumbian dates and metal objects indicates the presence of
status differentiation in late times and, possibly, within the context of direct
contact with the Spanish.
CEMETERY AND CEREMONIAL SPACE
El Chorro de Maíta’s burial area is located approximately in the center of the
archaeological site. Its dimensions (2,000 m 2 ) are similar to those of the central
spaces of many large sites in Banes. The use of central clearings in villages
for social exchange and ceremonial activities has been widely reported for
Cuba based on revised historical interpretations (Moreira 1999:11; Trincado
1984:49). Considering its location and the fact that no other cleared area has
been found that could have functioned as a plaza, the possibility that the
cemetery area was used for this purpose cannot be discarded. There is no
archaeological evidence for any kind of feature that would delimit this area.
In the southern part, Unit 5, domestic remains affecting a burial were located,
possibly indicating an encroachment of the residential areas into the burial
area around 730 ± 60 b.p. (Beta—148957; charred wood; d 13c/12c = −25 percent).
The conditions of the domestic-funeral contact in the remaining edges
of the burial area are not clear. There are no concentrations of domestic residuals
in the main central area. When they do appear, the deposits are thin
and isolated, deposited by natural erosion processes. The fact that this space
was kept cleared indicates that its special function was recognized and its
dimensions were maintained.
The burial area presents two well-differentiated soil layers. The super¤cial
layer is between 10 and 30 cm thick and consists of a limestone-based brown
soil, rich in phosphates and organic matter, with an acid pH. The lower layer
is formed by limestone chalk of yellowish color, lacking phosphates and with
an alkaline pH. The few skeletons or parts of skeletons present in the ¤rst layer
had heavy deterioration because of the acidity of the soil. The skeletons in the