30 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 177 
plain sherds were on the surface. A large granite boulder rising 5 
meters out of the ground marks the northern limit of the site, which 
extends 30 meters to the south and 25 meters in an east-west direction 
(fig.6). ‘The 1.50 and 2.00 meter contour line above high-water level 
outlines a small rise. The midden deposit is smaller in area than the 
natural knoll, leaving a sterile strip 2 to 15 meters wide around the 
(STERILE) \x MANGROVE 
SWAMP 
x TEST: 
——— LIMIT OF MIDDEN 
\nunoat 
i 
ee ee es 
o 2 4 6 8 I0M 
Ficure 6.—Sketch map of N-9: Alaka Island, a shell midden site of the Alaka Phase. 
border. The midden surface is irregular but rises generally to the 
north. The highest part, near the large rock, has an elevation of 4 
meters above the surrounding swamp. The depth of the refuse accu- 
mulation is 2.50 meters at the location of the strata cut, but on top of 
the mound it decreases to 1.25 to 1.50 meters. 
The area was tested extensively to determine the limits of the midden. 
A 2- by 1-meter strata cut, controlled in 25 cm. levels, was placed in a 
level place near the middle of the southern flank, in an area apparently 
free from animal burrows. The refuse deposits had the following 
characteristics : 
Level .00-.25 m_. Rich black loam and shell in a mixture that contained over 
80 percent dirt. 16 potsherds were recovered from the 
level, and 8 potsherds were found on the surface. 
Level .25-.50 m__ Black dirt; shells rather sparse, mostly oyster; 12 sherds. 
