The Earliest Inhabitants: The Dynamics of the Jamaican Taino

were confined to a small area and placed in such a way as to suggest that the
body was buried in a flexed position.
Test Pit 2
Depth 60 cm. Some historic artefacts (green glass bottle fragments and a
creamware sherd) were found in levels 1 and 2, but there were (comparatively
sparse) pre-Columbian artefacts beneath, in a context generally characterized
as terra rossa in type. Excavation stopped when an archaeologically sterile
horizon appeared to have been reached.
Test Pit 3
Depth 110 cm. Significant concentrations of ash were detected, particularly in
levels 4 to 7 but continuing deeper than that in places. They were associated
with increased concentrations of shells, both marine and terrestrial. In levels 5
and 6 a large portion of a griddle was found, including the rim. Again, it was
excavated separately on a pedestal. It was treated in situ with a solution of consolidant
before being carefully removed and transported to the conservation
laboratory at the Jamaica National Heritage Trust. In the light of the general
stratigraphic situation, it is considered that the griddle probably pre-dates
the skeletal remains found in test pit 1. When a depth of 110 cm was reached
in this pit, the soil was sterile.
Test Pit 4
Depth 40 cm. A few historic artefacts (green glass bottle fragments) were
encountered in level 1. The pre-Columbian artefacts beneath were not
numerous, but included a stone object the size and shape of a sewing-machine
bobbin. Sterile soil was encountered at a shallow depth, indicating that
as one goes up the hill the occupation deposits thin out. Limestone rocks are
frequent, indicating that bedrock is near.
Test Pit 5
Depth 50 cm. Some historic artefacts (green glass bottle fragments) were
found in levels 1 and 2. The matrix beneath, characterized as red bauxite in
type, contained relatively few pre-Columbian artefacts. At the base it had
become completely sterile.
T HE P RE-COLUMBIAN S ITE OF C HANCERY H ALL,ST A NDREW
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