Pre-Colombian Jamaica: Caribbean Archeology and Ethnohistory

282 / Appendix D.
incisions, producing somewhat the appearance of a thick hood. The outer incision
is continued below, giving to the whole the resemblance of a shrouded
human body. Other figures around are smaller and of various forms, but all
more or less represent the outlines of human beings in a grotesque and distorted
fashion. A fallen piece of rock, measuring about four feet cube, lies upon
the ground near by, and bears similar carvings, but the figures are not so complete
(Figure 1).
Kempshot, St. James
These carvings were first brought to the notice of the Institute by Maxwell
Hall, Esq., M.A., Government Meteorologist, who writes as follows: “In the
Homecommon of Kempshot Pen is a small cave containing some rude carvings.
When I first saw them, 25 years ago, I supposed them to be ‘artistic’ attempts
of pen- boys, past and present. The cave is at the base of a hill, and is
easy of access from the pasture. The further end is covered with stalactites, on
which are several rough carvings of human faces; there are eleven fairly well
marked, and a few more not so distinct. Unfortunately many have, I believe,
been recently mutilated by gangs of labourers, who take refuge in the cave from
time to time.”
Later one of us visited the spot to note and compare the inscriptions more
fully and to photograph them.
Kempshot is situated about eight miles from Montego Bay, and is at an
elevation of 1,600 feet above sea- level. The cave is away from the house, say
150 feet, and faces the east. The nearest spring is nearly two miles distant, but
there is an appearance of an old water- course or gully a chain or two from the
mouth. It is about 25 feet long by 12 broad, with an average height of 10 feet,
and is a natural formation in limestone. There is a thick deposition of stalactitic
material, which has become very hard. The figures are only representations
of human heads, the length of the faces averaging about seven inches, the
breadth five inches, and the distance between the eye centres two inches. The
depths of the incisions vary from 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch, and are very indefinite
in some. The ones distinguishing the eyes and mouth are not very deep or
well marked, but those surrounding the faces are much more so. The heads are
fairly upright. No trace of any other inscription is seen. There is a marked difference
in the carvings, one series shows that a sharp chisel was used, but the
others are blunt and much water- worn. Whether anyone in more recent times
has added to some of the original figures to further embellish the cave is hard
to say. There are twelve figures, and a possible thirteenth, all cut on the stalactites.
The inside of the cave is sheltered, and, as it is not well lighted, the carved
lines, before photographing, were rendered more distinguishable by means of