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SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS VOL. 146 
Economic basis and settlement pattern seem identical to those of 
Period III. More diversity is nevertheless evident in the artifacts and 
is perhaps indicative of a higher degree of division of labor. Differen- 
tial treatment of the dead (in northwestern Costa Rica and Parita 
Bay) and the construction of earth mounds for burial and building 
structures (Parita Bay) are rare signs of an incipient social stratifica- 
tion and of the increasing role of ceremonialism in religion. 
Period V, which extends from a.d. 500 to 800, includes the follow- 
ing phases : 
Early Code Phase— Parita Bay (Lothrop, 1937-1942). 
El Hatillo Phase— Parita Bay (Willey and Stoddard, 1954; Stirling, 1949). 
Alvina Phase — Parita Bay (Willey and McGimsey, 1954). 
Venado Beach Phase — Canal Zone (Lothrop, 1960). 
Fine Red Line Phase — Chiriqui Province (McGimsey, 1961). 
Early Polychrome Phase — northwestern Costa Rica (Baudez and Coe, 1960). 
Curridabat Phase — highland Costa Rica (Hartman, 1907a; Rowe, 1959). 
Masaya Phase — Isthmus of Rivas (Norweb, 1961). 
The pottery is more diversified not only within each complex, but 
also between one complex and another. Bold geometric multicolor 
painting is common throughout the area. The tall tripods of the Curri- 
dabat ware seem to appear during this period in central Costa Rica. 
Period V sites are numerous, and an increase in population is note- 
worthy. In coastal sites of northwestern Costa Rica, shellfish are 
added to the sources of food. 
Drastic technical changes appear everywhere. Beautifully carved 
maceheads are found in northwestern and central Costa Rica. Elabo- 
rately carved metates are present except in the Parita Bay region. Jade 
pendants and beads are characteristic of the Nicoya Peninsula and 
perhaps occur at the same time in the Linea Vieja zone (central 
Costa Rica). In Panama, jade is scarce but is replaced by other semi- 
precious stones such as agate, opal, and others, worked with equal 
care and artistry. Finally, metallurgy seems to appear in full develop- 
ment in Panama, at least in the Parita Bay region. 
The existence of these highly specialized artifacts and their often 
extended distribution suggest that they were manufactured by special- 
ized artisans and transported by merchants. The only structures so far 
reported are those of El Hatillo, which consist of mounds arranged 
in crescent shape around a court, but others will undoubtedly be found 
in the future. The cemeteries of Venado Beach exhibit differential 
treatment of the dead, individual as well as communal burials, pri- 
mary urn burials, extended, flexed, and sitting positions, and some pe- 
culiar practices such as suicide, sacrifice, and mutilations. These traits 
