Pre-Colombian Jamaica: Caribbean Archeology and Ethnohistory

Aboriginal Indian Remains in Jamaica by J. E. Duerden / 273
Fig. XIV. Oliva
reticularis, Lamk.
forated through the dorsal portion of the body whorl, a little
distance from the anterior (mouth) end, apparently for the
purpose of being strung together, as if to form a necklace or
armlet. At the place of perforation the shell has been made
thinner by grinding, in some cases with a convex implement,
in others by rubbing on a smooth plain surface; or, again, by
being deeply and narrowly notched with some sharper implement,
such as a piece of flint. An irregular hole, varying
in size, has then [been] made at these thinner, weaker places,
through which a string could easily be passed and then out
through the mouth of the shell, and thus all could be strung
together as a necklace. In no example has the perforation been made by drilling.
Another feature is that in every case the spiral portion of the shell has been broken
off at the last suture, so that only the body whorl remains. This is stated to
happen accidentally with recent shells; but, from the rugged chipped edge presented
in the remains under consideration, there can be little doubt that it was
produced artificially. Perhaps it may have been effected to lighten the weight of
the shells as their thickness makes them somewhat heavy.
Oliva reticularis is very common around the shores at the present day. With
regard to its appearance in the fresh condition, Mr. Vendryes observes: “A magnificently
coloured and polished species, white with pink or chestnut zig- zag
longitudinal markings and fasciculi around the suture; sometimes there is a bluish
tinge through which the white ground shines, and which much enhances
the beautiful appearance of the shell. One could hardly imagine a more gorgeous
and striking object than necklaces made of these shells and worn on the
dark skin of the Indian.”
As now obtained, after such a long interval, from amongst the earth covering
the floor of the cave, the shells have lost all the original beauty of their bright
enamelled [46] surface, having only a dull, dirty brown patina. Of specimens
sent him, Prof. Marson writes: “Many of the ground Oliva are found in both
continents, and I have thought that the curiously rolled tin pendants of our Indians
were copied from this peculiar shape of bead.”
Three large perforated shells, obtained from the Halberstadt cave, are of a
different type, though evidently used for personal decoration. Two, Fasciolaria
tulipa, Linn., and Triton (Gymnatium) femorale, Linn., are large marine shells,
very common among the West Indian islands; while the third, Helix (Parthena)
jamaicensis, Chemn., is a terrestrial form restricted to Jamaica. Unlike the
Oliva, these shells are perfect with the exception of the artificial perforation,
which in each case is small and of a different character from that met with in
the shells of the refuse- heaps. Of the Fasciolaria tulipa Mr. Vendryes notes that