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Hyane ay ARCHEOLOGY IN BRITISH GUIANA 59 
diameter 3.5 at the center, tapering slightly toward the ends. A frag- 
ment of what appears to be a similar object comes from level 0-25 cm. 
of the same site. If these are artifacts, their use is problematical. 
THE SITE SEQUENCE AND ITS IMPLICATIONS 
The Alaka Phase is represented by six sites, five of which were 
tested stratigraphically. Although the deepest deposit reached 2.60 
meters, the number of stone implements per 25-cm. level was too small 
for a percentage analysis of artifact type frequency. There are, how- 
ever, two kinds of evidence that make it possible to distinguish sub- 
periods within the Phase. These are the presence or absence of pottery 
and the presence or absence of stone implements showing abrasion in 
their manufacture or use. The data reveal several interesting ten- 
dencies in the development of Alaka Phase culture and these are 
outlined as a basis for future investigation. It should be emphasized, 
however, that the evidence is not sufficiently strong or clear-cut for 
the interpretations suggested here to be considered final. 
Five of the Alaka Phase sites produced pottery (tables A,B). No 
sherds were found at N-6. N-8 produced pottery only in the upper 
16 cm. of a 2.60 meter deposit, indicating that pottery was introduced 
into an earlier non-pottery-making culture. The sherds from N-8 
and N-10 are all Sand Creek Plain. Although not of outstanding 
quality, this sand-tempered pottery is by no means experimental and 
is more reasonably explained as derived by trade than as the beginning 
of pottery making in the Alaka Phase. The very small quantity of 
sherds from these early sites suggests a scarcity of pottery vessels 
that is in keeping with this interpretation. Further support for the 
trade theory comes from the pattern of pottery-type frequency at the 
remaining Alaka Phase sites (table A). 
The stratigraphic excavation at N-9 produced a majority of sherds 
of Sand Creek Plain, but in addition each level contained a few sherds 
of Wanaina Plain, a more crudely made, shell-tempered ware. Unlike 
Sand Creek Plain, Wanaina Plain has certain characteristics that 
suggest it may be of Alaka Phase origin. The readiness with which 
sherds break along coil junctions indicates handling of the clay when 
too dry to form a good bond, and improper kneading together of the 
coils. When these features are added to the irregular thickness of 
the vessel walls and superficial hand swiping to smooth the surfaces, 
the total impression is one of incomplete mastery of the pottery- 
making technique. Another argument for Alaka Phase manufacture 
rather than derivation by trade of Wanaina Plain is the fact that it 
is the only ware in the Northwest District employing crushed shell 
as temper. This tempering material would seem a natural choice for 
a group living on middens largely composed of shells. In keeping 
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