Pre-Colombian Jamaica: Caribbean Archeology and Ethnohistory

Aboriginal Indian Remains in Jamaica by J. E. Duerden / 261
vessels were obtained by the Rev. W. W. Rumsey from the Richmond Hill cave,
and odd ones have been secured from others; while it appears that many have
been removed in the past, and either broken or dispersed.
The quantity of fragments to be met with in such a cave as that on the California
estate, demonstrates that the number of vessels originally located in the
ossuaries must have been considerable. The Halberstadt cave, containing so
many bones, yielded however, only two small vessels. The most typical forms
are shown on Plate V.
[38] The vessels present but little variety or elaboration of form, though all
are well and more or less regularly shaped. They are, with one exception, somewhat
shallow, oval or circular in outline, and often the upper part is turned inwardly;
the base is convex or rounded. Two fragments from Norbrook appear
to have formed the flattened circular base of two vessels. Even if this interpretation
be correct, a flattened base must be regarded as very exceptional. The
symmetry of the parts to any axis is not always well maintained; the distortion,
however, may be the result of the imperfect methods of burning, and not of
manufacture. One vessel, obtained by Mr. Ramsey from the Dallas Castle cave,
is very much deeper than the others, forming nearly a complete sphere. It is of
quite a distinct type and made of much coarser material.
The handles are either luted on, or are formed as a prolongation of the ends.
In the great majority the border is thickened, or strengthened by the addition
of a flattened fillet or band of clay.
The surface of some is very smooth or even polished, evidently by rubbing
with a suitable implement; others, again, show the construction marks left on
the soft clay. Many are of a dirty reddish earthy colour; one or two are yellowish;
most are, however, darkened or blackened by use, showing evidence of contact
with fire in having patches of carbon still upon them. In no case is there any
trace of a glazed surface, but occasional suggestions of some paint or colouring
material having been used are presented.
Dimensions. The dimensions of the vessels vary considerably, some of them
being very large. A nearly complete portion of a circular basin, obtained from
the caves in Vere, corresponds with a diameter of about 18 inches. As the thickness
is only a quarter of an inch it is evident that to construct a vessel of such
magnitude must have required considerable skill. The larger fragments from the
California cave give indications of vessels of similar magnitude. Some perfectly
flat fragments are very thick, often an inch or more, and are made of the coarsest
materials. It seems likely that they served as cooking slabs or plates.
Manufacture. As usual in West Indian and American ancient pottery no evidence
of the potter’s wheel having been used in the manufacture is apparent.
The vessels appear to have been constructed by building up separate bands of
clay, and then smoothing the surface.
The material employed is nearly always coarse. Pulverized or decomposing