60 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 177 
with the conclusion that Wanaina Plain is of Alaka Phase origin 
is its great increase in frequency at N-11 after what seems to be a “slow, 
experimental” beginning at N-9 and N-16. 
The presence of both decorated and plain sherds of types belonging 
to the Mabaruma Phase in association with Wanaina Plain at the late 
Alaka Phase sites of N-11 and N-16 provides further indication that 
Wanaina Plain is an Alaka Phase ware. The Mabaruma Phase 
pottery was unquestionably acquired through some kind of contact. 
However, since shell tempering is not found in the ceramics of the 
Mabaruma Phase, Wanaina Plain must either be of Alaka Phase 
origin or trade from another source. It is difficult to conceive of a 
primitive shellfish-gathering group carrying out extensive commerce 
simultaneously with two separate pottery-making groups. When we 
consider that Wanaina Plain is much inferior technically and artis- 
tically to the pottery of the Mabaruma Phase, and to be derived by 
trade it must have come from a more distant source, the alternative 
conclusion that it is of Alaka Phase origin seems more likely. The 
fact that the cruder Wanaina Plain is more abundant than the 
Mabaruma Phase types also supports the inference that it is of local 
manufacture. 
TasLe B.—Sequence of Alaka Phase sites derived from the distribution of 
pottery and stone tool types 
Pottery Stone tools 
Pee ae awe nn (eA a cag ay 
Phase Perecus- 
Period Site Alaka and Percus- sion- 
Absent Phase Maba- sion- made 
types ruma made and 
only Phase only abraded 
types 
Mabaruma Phase contact __--.2_-_------- JSF 8 age PS ae le PA ae a ea DX fyi. Ree eee *< 
INK1G) = tile cee 5 Ae = oe Kee x 
Incipient .ceramicys.- eps. eee fest vine | eee Seer DK Me es gee ee x 
IN=Si Sees is DX 22 35 2 ee x 
IN=LOUS © ole ee ea WK xp |sasoe see XK. please sees 
IPTOCOPSINIC Sapo) eet ee eae ata uae N-6 Py ae Na | Mie Wlisenaeeeeee 
The distribution of pottery types divides the Alaka Phase sites into 
three periods: preceramic, incipient ceramic, and Mabaruma Phase 
contact (table B). Incipient ceramic includes the sites that have 
only what may be termed “Alaka Phase types,” that is, Wanaina Plain 
and the early trade wares of unidentified origin, Sand Creek Plain and 
Unclassified Clay-tempered Plain. Alaka Phase sites showing con- 
tact with the Mabaruma Phase produce Wanaina Plain in association 
3 The only other shell-tempered pottery reported from this general region is that of the 
Bontour style on Trinidad. This, however, is dated by Rouse (1953, p. 97) as proto- 
historic and historic, and consequently could not be related to the Alaka Phase occurrence. 
