NO. 14 ARCHEOLOGY OF BAY ISLANDS, HONDURAS— STRONG I35 



These are without paint at present and are classified solely on form 

 and surface finish. There are about 20 rim sherds of monochrome 

 ware; four of these have elaborate incisions below the rim, and one 

 has applique decorations as well. The others are plain and range from 

 a well-polished to a coarse surface finish. All are from small to medium 

 pots ; some have medium-high, some low flaring lips, and others have 

 none. Four have swollen rims. There are four separate lugs ; two of 

 the elaborate modeled and incised vertical type with a central con- 

 striction, and two of the conventionalized grotesque projecting type. 

 Two fragments of annular bases with incised step designs, and in 

 one case with a series of holes around the bottom, are present. Two 

 large, hollow tripod feet have applique faces where they joined the 

 body of the pot, another has six vertical openings in three rows but 

 lacks the face, and still another is solid and cylindrical (7 cm in 

 length). Four feet are solid cones with applique, incised, and modeled 

 decoration. Two are hemispherical in form ; one of these is hollow 

 with incised and applique decoration, the other is solid and plain. 



MICHAEL ROCK 



While working at Plan Grande the Amigo was anchored in Man- 

 grove Bight. On the completion of our survey we proceeded down the 

 coast to Michael Rock (map, fig. 33), which is a tongue of high 

 ground jutting out into the sea. The narrow neck on the shore end 

 would be under water in a very high tide, but the rocky peninsula is 

 perhaps 60 feet high near the tip. On the highest point amidst large 

 boulders and fallen leaves we found considerable broken pottery. 

 This was all on the surface and digging produced no results. 



The collection obtained from Michael Rock includes one practically 

 complete small tripod vessel (pi. 31, fig. 3, /). It is 13 cm in diameter, 

 has short, solid but ornate feet, and is decorated outside the rim by 

 a short curved line and dot pattern of incision. There are also about 

 20 sherds, which, like the above vessel, have all been blackened by 

 recent brush fires. Owing to weathering and burning, all are coarse 

 in surface texture with grit or coarse gravel tempering very prominent. 

 They are rather ornately but carelessly decorated with incision and 

 applique decoration. All are from small vessels. The majority are 

 from vases with straight or slightly contracting walls without marked 

 rim. Only two have contracted necks and low flaring rims. The 

 majority have rude geometric incised patterns on the upper body and 

 neck. Crisscross, angular, and short dash lines, as well as curved or 

 straight lines enclosing punctate marks, are common incised design 



