PREFACE 
The presentation of any archeological report covering a large 
area brings to the authors the duty and the pleasure of calling atten- 
tion to the many other individuals whose advice and assistance made 
it possible. In this case, the ready cooperation and friendly aid that 
we encountered everywhere in British Guiana makes acknowledgment 
of our indebtedness an unusually pleasant task. 
Our research was made possible by financial support from a United 
States Educational Exchange Research Grant under the Fulbright 
Act and by a grant from the Smithsonian Institution. By the terms 
of the Fulbright Act we were required to work under the auspices 
of a recognized local educational institution, and the University Col- 
lege of the West Indies agreed to undertake sponsorship. Their 
representative in British Guiana, Mr. A. A. Thompson, made a hotel 
reservation for us in Georgetown and offered his services if they 
should be needed to facilitate our work. A more logical institutional 
sponsor was the British Guiana Museum, and largely because of the 
personal interest of the director, Mr. Vincent Roth, it was with the 
Museum that we worked most closely. 
From the day of our arrival until the day of our departure, we 
were guided and assisted by Mr. Roth. He put us in touch with the 
local officials, and his personal introductions made them predisposed 
to help us as much as possible. His intimate knowledge of much of 
the Colony, acquired during years as a surveyor for the Government, 
helped us to plan an itinerary that gave us a maximum archeological 
return for the time available. In addition, he allowed us to store 
our specimens and equipment at the Museum, which was not only a 
convenience but an insurance of their safety. Beyond this aid fur- 
nished in his capacity as director of the Museum, we are indebted to 
Mr. Roth for his personal hospitality, including a memorable, belated 
Christmas dinner in February at hishome. For all of these and many 
smaller kindnesses, we wish to express our deepest gratitude. 
For the solution of many of the frustrating problems that con- 
front archeologists in a strange country, we are indebted to Ram S. 
Singh, chief taxidermist of the British Guiana Museum. Whatever 
was required, Mr. Singh always knew where to find it better, cheaper, 
and faster than anyone else. He piloted us through the intricacies 
of purchasing tickets, opening a bank account, and arranging for the 
export of our collections. During a visit to Plantation Lusignan on 
east coast Demerara, he was an indispensable interpreter from English 
to Guianese. Our final trip to the Abary River was organized by 
him from start to finish. He introduced us to many aspects of 
Guianese life we would otherwise have missed, and his generosity and 
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