Crossing the Borders: New Methods and Techniques in the Study of Archaeological Materials from the Caribbean

134 / Nieuwenhuis
They were found on seven implements (the hammer stone, PP17, PP18, PPS29, PP1,
PP3, and PP5), but compared to the number of spheres the number of grass phytoliths
found on the implements is remarkably low. Samples of two grinding stones
were counted (PP3 and PP5). These contained spheres and grass phytoliths. Onethird
of the slide was counted. One contained 35 spheres and one grass phytolith
(PP5), the other one contained 120 spheres and 10 grass phytoliths (PP3). Grass
phytoliths were found in the soil sample, suggesting that grass was growing in the
area, but apparently it was not processed on a large scale with the hard stone tools.
It may have been done incidentally, some of the querns and grinding stones may
well have been used for a variety of activities.
One pounding stone (PP10) contained possible hafting material, which has
not yet been identified. Mastic bully (Mastichodendron foetidissimum) did grow
in the area. The sticky fruit juices are white; the sapwood is thick and yellow. The
residue found is reddish or orange, but this can be colored by elements from the
sediment.
The function of the artifact labeled as “hammer stone” is unclear. On one side
the hammerhead has a reddish residue, possibly ochre. Fragments of ochre were
found at the site. This artifact was one of the two that contained round starch
grains, which may be from palm. The tool has primary impact traces on the whole
upper side and pecking traces on one of the edges of the hammerhead. The entire
surface is polished but the “handle” of the hammer seems more polished, possibly
due to handling.
Conclusions
Wear and Residue
In two cases wear- trace analysis would lead to specific inferences: plant traces on
an oval quern (PP18) and a grinding stone (PP3) and wood on a flat large flake
with a relatively sharp edge. Contact with hard or medium- hard material was detected
on two pounding stones, one of which may have been hafted. On two artifacts
microwear did indicate use, but this could not be further specified. This observation
strengthens the importance of residue analysis.
Phytoliths were found on nine artifacts. These were mostly spheres of various
sizes with nodular projections, some pointed. They were all from palm, probably
Prestoea montana. The experimentally processed palm fruit yielded spheres, raphides,
and starch grains. Unfortunately, there were no other parts of this palm available
for experiments. Palm leaves are known to contain spheres in abundance
(Piperno 1988). Starch can be found in other parts as well, like the trunk or the
leaf stems. Raphides can be found in roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits, and embryos
of some palms (Zona 2004). Various parts of this palm can be used, either
for consumption or for other purposes. Fibers for roofing or for manufacturing a
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