Ladd] PARITA AND SANTA MARIA ARCHEOLOGY, PANAMA 35 



excavations, such as Mound IV and Trench 10 in the north ridge, 

 which showed fairly definite indications of occupational refuse yielded 

 relatively few polychrome sherds, either as a total for the trench or 

 in many of its levels. Nevertheless, a sherd count was taken on aU 

 trenches, and a general picture of relative chronology for the types 

 and varieties emerges which has held up thus far in grave associations 

 (with one or two exceptions) and which coincides with the conclusions 

 which can be drawn from an evolutionary interpretation of some of 

 the design elements shared by the types but expressed differently 

 among them. 



MOUND I 



Only the upper three levels and the lowest level (Level 7) contained 

 sufficient polychrome sherds to be statistically significant. Of these, 

 Level 1 corresponds roughly to the upper ash layer and deposits 

 above it and Level 2 includes all of the fill between the one upper 

 and two lower ash layers. It is apparent from chart 3 that of the 

 various Azuero types present, the El Hatillo and Parita types have 

 their greatest popularity in the two uppermost levels; the former 

 especially rises sharply above the upper ash layer. The Macaracas 

 type and associated Cocle-like categories reach their maximum pro- 

 portions in the third level, and drop sharply in the uppermost level. 

 Cuipo variety is not represented in the trench. Calabaza has a 

 very minor role in the second and third levels and is not represented 

 at aU below Level 4. Code Polychrome is barely represented. Red 

 Daubed and the Gir6n type are both represented by small propor- 

 tions, which, while continuing on into the upper levels, are at their 

 highest in the fourth level. Smoked ware reaches two peaks, one in 

 the fourth level and one in the first level. 



Briefly recapitulating the typology of the grave ceramics encoun- 

 tered in Trench 1 : 



Find 1. A class "b" collared jar and sherds of an El Hatillo type 

 (Achote variety) vessel. Sherds may be from fiU; breaks 

 are weathered and the vessel was only partially restorable. 

 Find 5. A large Delgado Red coUarless jar, a Red-buff class "a" 

 collared jar, and a Red-buff pedestal plate. Collar frag- 

 ments of probable Ortiga jar may be associated. 

 Find 6. No polychrome vessels. A buff ware plate, a large Red-buff 

 collarless jar or urn, a Smoked ware pedestal bowl, Sangre 

 variety. 

 Find 8. Polychrome: A Macaracas type (Pica-pica variety, ray design) 

 pedestal plate, questionable provenience. Class "a" Red- 

 buff collared jars. Smoked ware or Buff plate with hori- 

 zontally flattened lip. 



