The Earliest Inhabitants: The Dynamics of the Jamaican Taino

described in detail in Allsworth-Jones et al. (2001, reprinted in this volume,
Table 2.1). In addition, a 7.5-kg sample of material from layer 3 in the section
on the edge of lot 386 was subjected to microscopic analysis in the laboratory
at the School of Archaeological Studies in Leicester. A.J. Gouldwell
reports on the results of this analysis (see appendix). These two studies are of
interest primarily for the light that they cast on the Taínos’ environment and
their exploitation of it. The principal points may be summarized as follows.
It is clear from the analysis that the marine gastropods and bivalves at the
site are dominated by only five species: Neritina reclivata and N. piratica,
Anadara ovalis, Chione intapurpurea and Crassostrea rhizophorae. Both species
of Neritina occur in brackish water on intertidal mudflats, which also serve as
the habitat for the first two bivalves. Crassostrea rhizophorae lives attached to
mangrove roots. Hence, it is evident that the inhabitants collected their shellfish
mainly from what is now the Kingston Harbour. The terrestrial gastropods
at the site are dominated by Pleurodonte lucerna, but there is some
doubt as to whether this really constituted an item in the human diet, since, as
remarked earlier (Allsworth-Jones et al. 2001, reprinted in this volume), “there
are many places in Jamaica where extensive accumulations of terrestrial gastropods
are concentrated in soil profiles with no evidence of archaeological
occupation”, and “a Taíno rubbish pit may have been a highly desirable habitat”
for them.
Several salient points emerge from the study carried out by Gouldwell. The
study clearly shows the potential for microscopic work of this kind in recovering
evidence which might not otherwise be available. Caution, however, is
needed in the interpretation of the results. Even in well-stratified conditions
such as this, there is a possibility of contamination and intrusion by fibrous
roots. Thus, the interesting and well-preserved insect and scorpion remains
are probably of recent origin, and the same goes for the two seeds. There is
no need to doubt the antiquity of the wood charcoal, which is assumed to be
an indication that the inhabitants used wood as fuel for cooking. There is an
approximately equal representation of mammalian and fish bone fragments,
though the minimum numbers of individuals represented are obviously much
less than the fragments in the count. The mammalian remains probably all
belong to hutia, but a limitation of this study is that no specific identification
of the fish remains could be made. Some of the fish bones show signs of contact
with fire, consistent with the hypothesis advanced to account for the presence
of charcoal. Interestingly enough, the fish bones showed no sign of
cracking caused by chewing, or of etching by gastric juices. The conclusion is
that the fish were filleted before being eaten, but it is desirable that this suggestion
be tested elsewhere. As Gouldwell says, the conclusion in general is
that this was “a midden of food waste”.
T HE P RE-COLUMBIAN S ITE OF C HANCERY H ALL,ST A NDREW
55