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ia oe ARCHEOLOGY IN BRITISH GUIANA 143 
Koriabo Phase sherds. The majority belong to Koriabo Incised, 
which is characterized by fine, sharp, generally parallel lines arranged 
to produce simple overall designs. This type reaches a maximum of 
9 percent at N-2, in the middle of the sequence, but is represented 
only by a trace in earlier and later sites (fig. 57). Koriabo Scraped, 
in which the decoration is produced by broad, troughlike lines, is 
found only at N-2, where it occurs with a frequency of less than 2 per- 
cent. In both of these types, the incisions are associated with small 
applique or relief elements of distinctive style (pls. 35, 36, /-). 
The limited number of rim sherds per level makes trends in vessel 
shape popularity difficult to discern. Since the upper two levels of 
the three excavations at N-2 show similar percentages of Koriabo 
Plain and Warapoco Plain, they were presumed to be contemporary 
and the number of rims was combined for the analysis of vessel shape 
(Appendix, tables 18 and 20). Most of the forms have a distribution 
throughout the Phase or occur in such small numbers that absences 
probably reflect the small size of the sample rather than absence of 
the form. However, the fact that the flat pedestal base (Form B) is 
found only in the latter half of the sequence in both of the plain 
wares probably can be taken as evidence that this is a late form. 
Koriabo Plain Vessel Shape 6, a jar with an exteriorly thickened 
rim with a beveled top, appears also to be restricted to the latter half 
of the Phase. 
The stone artifacts are too few in number and lacking in distinctive 
features to be of any value as horizon markers. Except for a few 
flake knives, the tools are polished or at least ground and pecked. In 
shape, workmanship, and rock material, they closely resemble similar 
objects from the Mabaruma Phase, and it is possible that some of 
them may have been acquired by trade. 
Koriabo Phase habitation sites show more consistency of settlement 
pattern than do those of the Mabaruma Phase. AIl are on elevations 
above high water level, but the maximum elevation is only 8 meters. 
Three sites (N—5, N-7, and N-2) have areas of 1,800, 2,480 and 2,574 
square meters, respectively; only one (N-8) is considerably larger, 
with 7,400 square meters. All have refuse deposits between 16 and 
32 cm. in depth. The latest site, N—3, has both the largest area and 
the greatest depth of refuse, but whether this fact has any interpreta- 
tive significance cannot be determined at present. 
None of the Koriabo Phase sites contains any remains of shell- 
fish, although N-7 is in the middle of a group of Alaka Phase sites 
(fig. 4), suggesting that this food source was readily accessible. 
Agriculture was apparently the subsistence base, but the only cultural 
evidence of this is the presence of sherds from pottery griddles that 
are generally associated with the preparation of manioc. 
