THREE LATE PREHISTORIC SITES IN THE PERIPHERY OF GUADELOUPE: is located in the middle of the construction of the village it is difficult to determine the limits of the GRANDE ANSE, LES SAINTES AND MORNE CYBELE 1 and 2, LA DESIRADE site. The gully forms the southern limit of the site. The site has been discovered during a prospection of Terre de Bas in the spring of 1994 by Thierry Corinne HOFMAN l’Etang. Further prospection and test excavations have revealed an undisturbed refuse layer with Leiden University, Netherlands many ceramic and shell artefacts as well as faunal remains. The ceramic assemblage belongs to the Suazan Troumassoid subseries. A radiocarbon date from a shell sample (Cittarium pica) provided Résumé a date of 810 ± 30 BP (GrN-20874) when calibrated this is 1160-1280 AD. Recent excavations have been executed during the spring of 1995 to obtain information on the research potential of the site. Le site de Grande Anse à Terre de Bas, Les Saintes et les deux sites de Morne Cybèle sur le plateau Information has been gathered on the spatial distribution of the artefacts, it was attempted to get a de La Désirade sont datës des 12eme et 15eme siècles ap. J.C. Cette communication donne les résul- better understanding of the stratigraphy and to obtain additional material and 14C samples. Due to tats des fouilles récentes sur les trois sites. L’étude porte sur l’implantation de ces sites sur les îles its location in the build-up area of the village of Grande Anse it has not been possible to uncover péripherique de la Guadeloupe et leur occupation durant la période préhistorique tardive. structures or do any large scale excavations. The excavations have thus been limited to the refuse area (fig. 2) and a burial of an adult male in the near vicinity of this area. The gravepit was very small, only 70 by 65 cm. The Abstract deceased was buried in a flexed seated position and most of the bones were in anatomic relation. The cranium and mandibula were missing, suggesting the possibility that these parts were taken The site of Grande Anse Terre de Bas, Les Saintes and the two sites of Morne Cybèle on the plateau of La from the grave after decomposition of the body. A radiocarbon date of a bone sample provided an Désirade date from the 12th and 15th century A.D. In this paper the results are given from recent excava- age of 1210 ±50 BP (GrN-21562), when calibrated this is 690-960 cal AD (2 sigma range). This burial tions on these three sites. The location of these sites on the peripheral islands of Guadeloupe and their occu- probably belongs to an earlier occupation of the site area. pation in late prehistoric times are examined. Resumen Ceramics A total of 2960 sherds with a weight of 57 KG have been collected in the 1994 testpits and the 1995 El sitio de Grande Anse en isla de Terre De Bas, Les Saintes y los dos sitios de Morne Cybèle en la meseta de excavations. The fragmentation of the sherds is medium with a weight of 24.5 grams per sherd. la isla de La Désirade datan de los siglos XII y XV despuès de Christo. En este informe se presenta los resul- Decoration represents 2.1 % in this assemblage and characteristic decorations such as an anthro- tatdos de excavaciónes recientes en los très sitios. La localización de estos sitios en las islas periféricas de pomorphic adorno (fig. 3), broad and shallow lined incisions (fig. 4), fingernail impression on the Guadeloupe y sus ocupaciónes durante el período prehistórico tardio son examinandos. lip and scratched surfaces (fig. 5) show the affiliation with the Suazan subseries. Some of the sherds have a red slip. INTRODUCTION Vessel and rim shapes are simple but divers. Bowls with simple contours and rounded lips are most frequent but inward and outward thickened lips also occur. Diameters vary between 16 and 52 cm This paper deals with the results of recent excavations and analysis of three late prehistoric sites on and wall thickness between 9 and 14 mm with an average of 10.4 mm. Surface colours range from the islands of les Saintes and la Désirade. Excavations have been executed in cooperation with the grey to reddish brown and interior surface colours from reddish brown to brown. Surfaces are Service Régional de l’Archéologie of the DRAC under the responsability of André Delpuech. The poorly finished, but in most cases lightly burnished. Some have scratched surfaces. The majority of islands of Les Saintes and La Désirade are situated in the Leeward Islands and both pertain admi- the sherds show incomplete or relative oxidation. In this case cores are dark grey to black and sub- nistratively to the french department of Guadeloupe (fig. 1). The limited size of both islands under- surfaces are reddish brown to brown. lie their peripheral character in relation to Guadeloupe, the largest island of the Lesser Antilles. Four fragments of spindle whorls have been collected. Griddle rims are perpendicular straight. Both islands have been inhabited from Saladoid times on. Two pre-historic sites have been inven- Griddles have an average diameter of 40 cm. Some griddle fragments belong to legged griddles. toried as yet on Les Saintes and around twenty on La Désirade. Only one griddle leg was found. The three analysed sites revealed material pertaining to the Suazan Troummasoid subseries, although with local variations. Radiocarbon samples provided dates of respectively 810 ± 30 BP, Artefacts 725 ±35 BP and 470 ± 30 BP. The location of these sites provides an opportunity to evaluate the sett- lement pattern in late prehistoric times. The lithic production is fairly poor. Four cisels made of tephrite were collected.

Shell, specifically the lip of the Strombus gigas was used for the manufacture of other tools and THE SITE OF GRANDE ANSE, TERRE DE BAS, LES SAINTES ornaments. These consists of shell gouges with clearly polished edges and small beads.

The island of Terre de Bas, Les Saintes is one of the two main islands of Les Saintes archipelago and Large amounts of coral were collected. Only a few worked specimen were found. These consist of is situated to the south-west of Guadeloupe approximately 10 km south of Basse Terre. The island a cisel like implement (Porites sp.) and a fragment of a large coral zemi (Porites sp.) with a base leng- has a surface area of 6.73 km2. Test-excavations at the site of Grande Anse indicated that Grande th of approx. 25 cm. Anse is a single component late prehistoric site. 156 157 The site is situated in the village of Grande Anse on the northern bank of a gully. Because the site Subsistence

Analysis of the food remains revealed that marine shell species available in the direct vicinity of the Diametres vary between 20 and 42 cml thickness varies between 8 and 14 mm. Surface colours site on rocks and sandy bottom and seagrass meadows were abundantly present in the refuse. From range from brown to dark brown and interior surface colours tend to be more reddish brown. the analysis of the MNI executed by Hélene Schmidt the Cittarium pica (61.7%), Tectatius muricatus Surfaces are mostly poorly finished and one example is scratched. Vessels have been incompletely (12,2%), Nerita sp. (9.6%) and the Strombus gigas (5.9%) revealed to be the predominent species. or relatively well oxidized. In this case sherds have a dark grey to black core with reddish brown Others, such as the Fissurella sp. (2.6%), Chiton sp. (1.3%), Astrea caelata (1.3%), Thais rustica (1.3%) to brown subsurfaces. No base fragments, nor griddles have been collected. and the mangrove clams (0.4%) are present in small amounts. The analysis of other faunal remains is done by Sandrine Grouard. Preliminary results show that Subsistence fish remains predominate with 88.1%. The squirrelfish (Holocentridae) occurs in highest quantities A relatively high amount of complete shells have been found in the testpits with a total weight of followed by the grunt (Haemulidae) and the needlefish (Belonidae). All species are available in the 2180 grams. Among the complete shells were 54 complete Cittarium Pica; seven Purpura Patula and waters surrounding Grande Anse and can be caught with line, net or trap. Other faunal remains one Nerita sp. No shell artefacts have been collected. occuring in decreasing numbers are seaturtle (Chelonidae, 6.2%), rodents (3.6%) such as agouti (Dasyprocta aguti) and rice rat (Oryzomyini), birds (Passeriformes, 1.5%) and invertebrates (0.7%) b. The site of MC1 such as landcrab (Coenobita clypeatus) and ursin (Echinoid). Apart from the agouti all taxa are ende- A radiocarbon date of 470 ± 30 BP (Cittarium pica, GrN-20090), which corresponds to a calibrated mic of the island. date of 1440-1460 AD and a unique ceramic complex, make the site of Morne Cybèle 1 without doubt one of the most recent and therefore interesting known sites on the Lesser Antilles. The site THE SITES OF MORNE CYBELE 1 AND 2, LA DESIRADE predates the coming of the European colonists only some 30 years. Any stratigraphy is lacking but based on the homogeneity of the ceramics the site can be attributed to one single occupation and The island of La Désirade is situated 10 km north-east of Grande Terre. This island has a surface the amount of material attest of a short period of occupation. It is estimated that 95% of the site area of 20.6 km2. Excavations at the site of Morne Cybèle in 1984-85 by Pierre Bodu and an investi- MC1 excavated or otherwise destroyed in previous years. gation undertaken in 1994 indicated the existence of two successive late prehistoric sites. The excavation techniques adopted by P. Bodu were chosen according to the nature of the site. He The site of Morne Cybèle (MC1) was discovered by Reverend Père Guilbert and was excavated by excavated 18 squares of 16 m2 trowel and broom. From these it revealed that the bedrock is natu- Pierre Bodu in 1984 and 1985 under the responsability of Henri Petitjean Roget. In 1994 a reexami- rally sloping towards the south-west and that it is full of depressions in some cases attaining unto nation of the site area was undertaken and a number of five test units were made to gather more 50 cm. Most of the material found in these depressions was probably deposited by rainfall and information on site context and dating. During this campaign the second site (MC2), discovered by winds after amerindian times. The original amerindian occupation layer does not exist any more, Pierre Bodu in 1984 was also spotted. The two sites are not contemporary, and can both be dated only these artificial accumulations of material. The southern part of the site, three meters from the after 1000 A.D. MC2 precedes MC1 by three centuries. ridge is clearly more denser with artefacts than other parts. On the west side of the site, there is equally a more denser zone of artefacts, while the northern part revealed to be quite poor, as does The two sites (MC1 and MC2) are situated on the south-eastern border of the plateau of the la the eastern part. The central part is relatively flat without depressions and revealed no material Désirade on an elevation of 205 m above sea level and extends some 20 m inland. Both sites are except one anthropomorphic adorno. This means that the south-western part of the site seems to located on the heavily eroded limestone bedrock. The pre-Columbian material is deposited in the be most rich in artefacts all accumulated in depressions. The extension of the site is estimated to 200 cavities of the bedrock which are produced by erosion. On one side the sites look over the village or 300 m2. of Baie-Mahault on the south-east coast of the island and on the other side the village of Le Souffleur on the south of the island. By clear weather one can perfectly view the islands of Marie- Ceramics Galante, Petite Terre and the Pointe des Chateaux of Guadeloupe. A wide horizon is dominated and 2347 sherds have been collected with a weight of 24 kg. The average sherd weight is 9.7 grams. The good control over sea. relatively high fragmentation rate of the sherds is probably due to erosion and colonial cultivation. Decoration makes 3.5 % in the assemblage. Modelling is the most important decoration mode and a. The site of MC2 represents 45.8%. The decorated ware is characterized by a large quantity of geometric (22.9) The site of MC2 is located to the north-east of the MC1 site near the antenna. One layer of loose anthropomorphic (16.8) and zoomorphic adornos (4.8%) often embellished by punctations. sand with a depth of 20 cm contained a large number of sherds and shells (whole shells of the Anthropomorphic adornos attached to the vessel rim clearly represent male or female figures with Cittarium Pica). Identical to the MC1 site the material was deposited in a depression of the bedrock. pierced ears, punctations around the eyes and pronounced eyebrows in some cases (fig. 6). One One shell sample (Cittarium Pica) has been taken for radiocarbon dating and provided a date of 725 figure has a beard and two figures bear an ornament on the head. Other adornos just have the eyes ± 35 BP (GrN-20876), when calibrated this is 1230-1326 AD. and the mouth marked by two points and a line (fig. 7) or consist of fragments representing parts of the body like the arms, legs or a phallus have also been collected (see also Petitjean Roget 1990). Ceramics Zoomorphic adornos consist of a snake head with eyes surrounded by punctations, a pelican and A total of 43 sherds with a weight of 1190 grams have been collected. The fragmentation of the a bat-head (figs. 8-9). Punctations seem to be the second most diagnostic characteristic of this cera- sherds is medium with a weight of 23.3 grams per sherd. mic complex and represents 35.5%. This mode also occurs on rims or on the interior of the rim por- The ceramic assemblage belongs to the Suazan Troumassoid subseries and can be distinguished tion, the remaining of the vessel is not decorated in these cases (fig. 10). The punctations seem to be from the MC1 material in shape and decoration. Scratching and incised decorations of broad and pierced in the wet clay. Incision represents 15.6% and consists of fine lines and linear designs. shallow lines are identical to those found at the site of Grande Anse. 158 159 Vessel and rim shapes are simple. Bowls with simple contours and rounded rims are most frequent. No handles were recovered, but six lugs embellished with incision and punctations have been documented. These lugs resemble those from the Suazan pottery, although that the punctations are Cybèle (MC 1 and MC 2), has resulted in the identification of two single component sites from sub- not known from the latter (fig. 11). Red slip has not been recorded for this assemblage. sequent periods, i.e. the site of MC2 dated in the 12th century and MC1 in the 15th century. The vessels are characterized by a simplicity of shapes. From 125 rim fragments the vessel shape The ceramics from all three assemblages show probable affinities with the Suazan subseries. The could be determined. 51.2% are jars or bowls with an unrestricted simple contour, 40.0% are bowls border of these subseries may now be extended more nothward from central Martinique to the with restricted simple contours, 7.2% are dishes with unrestricted simple contours and 1.6% are small islands to the south of Guadeloupe. The assemblage of Morne Cybèle 1, however, seems to bowls with independent restricted inflected contours. Rim shapes are simply rounded (65.1%) or be a later and local development as is evidenced by the punctations and elaborate anthropomor- flat (26.7%). Other shapes occur in minor quantities, such as outwardly thickened lips (3.7%) and phic representations. Although, its late date in the 15th century this complex seems to have only inwardly thickened lips (1.5%). Both with a flat or wedged profile. some minor affiliations with mainland complexes and also with the Cayo pottery as found on seve- Vessel diameters vary from 6 to 42 cm with an average of 23.7 cm. The average available rim per- ral surrounding islands. centage is 8.9 %. The walls are generally very thin and vary between 4 and 12 mm with an avera- The so-called ‘Guaiza’ or Taino shell masks as found at Morne Cybèle evidence a Taino relation- ge of 6.7 mm. Surfaces are mostly lightly or highly burnished but very rarely polished. Surface ship. Similar objects are also known from late prehistoric sites on Anguilla and Antigua (Douglas colours vary from light brown and light reddish-brown to brown and reddish-brown. Very few 1991:578, 585, fig. 5 and 588, fig. 8; Rouse 1992:117, fig. 29c, 119 and jacket illustration). have a greyish surface colour. Core colours show firing under incomplete to relatively well oxidi- The Taino relationship has also been documented for other Suazan complexes of the Lesser Antilles. zed conditions. Sherds have in most cases reddish-brown to brown or dark grey cores and reddi- There is presence of ceramic imitations or reduced models of Taino ceremonial objects as amongst sh-brown to brown subsurfaces. Microscopic analysis (magnification of 10x and 40x) of the fabric the Suazan material from the Macabou site on Martinique which have led Allaire (1990) to the pos- was executed on a sample of 10 sherds including decorated, undecorated, base and griddle frag- tulation of esoteric interaction between the Taino chiefdoms and the southern Lesser Antilles. ments. In quality the fabrics are very similar. All sherds have a sand temper. The most remarkable Allaire (1990:6) also noted similar examples found on St, Lucia, on the Lavoutte site. Here it inclusions are quartz, feldspar and rock fragments. Shell was not found in either of the sherds. concerns amongst others a clay large figurine similar to the Taino platform effigy believed to have Differences between the fabrics are to be found in the grain size and grain quantity which have hold the hallucinogenic powder and a clay copy of a Guaiza. been of influence on the manufacture of the clay. It is assumed that these differences were deter- mined by the potter. The location of the two Morne Cybèle sites on the 205 m elevated plateau of la Désirade is rather Base fragments number 62 in this assemblage. Only three shapes could be reconstructed, one flat peculiar but several hypotheses can be put forward. Similar ideas have also been suggested by and two concave bases. Pierre Bodu (1984-85): Griddle fragments number 32, which is 1.3% of the total pottery in this assemblage. Seven rim frag- - temporary campsites in relation to cultivation activities on the plateau. ments were recovered from which one is overhanging and six are unthickened. - refuge as to hide for enemies and optimal observation post for the entire island. On top of the pla- Clay artefacts include six clay discs and two fragments of cone shaped spindle-whorls. teau one dominates a vast horizon and one can easily spot the island of Marie-Galante, the isles of Petite Terre and the Pointe des Chateaux on Guadeloupe. Artefacts A similar location is known from the site of Kelbey’s Ridge 2 on Saba dating from the late 14th-early Bodu’s excavations in 1984-85 revealed very little lithic material (Bodu 1984-85). Only some flakes 15th century A.D. (Hofman and Hoogland 1991, Hoogland this volume and Hoogland in prep.). from local rocks (tephrite and andesite), which occur naturally on the east part of the island. The Chican ceramic assemblage of Kelbey’s Ridge 2 suggests a Taino colonisation of this island Further some small polishing stones from volcanic origin and a quantity of pebbles have been col- (Hofman 1993:211 and Hoogland and Hofman in press). It has been suggested that this expansion lected. No actual tools have been identified except for some flakes with very sharp edges. served most probable either economic and/or socio-political objectives. Ornaments include one stone bead and a shell ‘Guaiza’ (fig. 12). The latter was found on the sur- face by Père Guilbert. These data suggest a continuous interaction between the islands of the Lesser Antilles and the Taino Subsistence culture of the Greater Antilles until well into the 15th century. After 1200 A.D. a gradual decrease The collected shells primarily consist of Cittarium picas (more than 800 have been collected). Other of population numbers for the Lesser Antilles, inferred from the low amount of sites reported for species have been collected in minor quantities as well as a few conch fragments. It is noteworthy that period, could be explained by a movement of groups towards the Greater Antilles attracted by that a fairly large amount of shell was transported to be prepared and consumed on the site. the religious, economic and political power of Taino chiefdoms. On the ohter hand there is an expansion of the Taino territory towards the islands of the Lesser Antilles such as evidenced by the Kelbey’s Ridge 2 site on Saba. Allaire (1990:9) has broad forward similar ideas as to the presence of CONCLUSIONS Taino traits in Suazan assemblages on the southern Lesser Antilles and assumes the progressive absorption or slow process of acculturation of the Suazoids into a social and economic periphery of Radiocarbon dating and ceramic analysis date the three analyzed sites well after 1000 A.D. The site the Taino centres. of Grande Anse, Terre de Bas revealed to be a small single component site. Radiocarbon dating and Systematic archaeological research is needed to enhance the knowledge about settlement pattern ceramic analysis point to an occupation of the site in the 12th century A.D. Its location near the during the latest prehistoric occupation, i.e. in the 14th and 15th century A.D., on the northern coast answers the common settlement pattern for Suazan sites during this period and can be com- Lesser Antilles. As is evidenced from sites as Kelbey’s Ridge 2 and Morne Cybèle settlement pat- pared to sites on the coast Guadeloupe. tern of Taino affiliated sites on these islands changes to more strategic locations during this period.

160 161 The horizontal distribution of the material and the analysis of the ceramics of the two sites at Morne Figure 1. Map of Guadeloupe with La Désirade, Marie-Galante and Les Saintes. The sites of Grande REFERENCES Anse, Terre de Bas, Les Saintes and Morne Cybéle 1 and 2 on La Désirade are indicated.

Allaire, L. 1990. Prehistoric Taino Interaction with the Lesser Antilles: The view from Martinique, F.W.I. Paper 55th Annual Meeting Society for American Archaeology. Las Vegas, Nevada, April 18-22, 1990. Bodu, P. 1984-85. Sondages sur le site de Morne Cybèle, Quartier du Souffleur- Désirade. Rapport de fouille de sauve- tage. DRAC, Guadeloupe. Douglas, N., 1991. Recent Amerindian finds on Anguilla. Proceedings of the Thirteenth International Congress for Caribbean Archaeology:576-588. Hofman, C.L. 1993. In Search of the Native Population of Pre-Columbian Saba. Pottery Styles and their Interpretations. PhD dissertation. Leiden University. Leiden. Hofman, C.L. and M.L.P. Hoogland, 1991. The Later Prehistory of Saba, N.A.: The Settlement Site of Kelbey’s Ridge (1300-1450 A.D.). Proceedings of the Thirtheenth International Congress for Caribbean Archaeology: 477-92. Hofman, C.L. and M.L.P. Hoogland, 1992. Amerindians on Saba between 1300 and 1450 A.D. Paper Conference ‘The Anthropology of the Native Caribbean: the view from 1992’ Leiden June 11-13 1992. Hoogland, M.L.P., in prep. In Search of the Native Population of pre-Columbian Saba. Part Two. Hoogland, M.L.P. and C.L. Hofman in press. Kelbey’s Ridge 2, A 14th century Taino Settlement on Saba, Netherlands Antilles. Analecta Prehistorica Leidensia no. 26. Leiden. Figure 2. Grande Anse, Terre de Bas, refuse area. Petitjean Roget, H. 1990. A propos de la poterie des amerindiens des Antilles. In Le Cahier du Patrimoine no. 7 and 8:31-38. Rouse, I., 1992. The Tainos. Rise and Decline of the People who Greeted Columbus. Yale University Press, New Haven. FIGURES Figure 1. Map of Guadeloupe with La Désirade, Marie-Galante and Les Saintes. The sites of Grande Anse, Terre de Bas, Les Saintes and Morne Cybéle 1 and 2 on La Désirade are indicated. Figure 2. Grande Anse, Terre de Bas, refuse area. Figure 3. Grande Anse, Terre de Bas, anthropomorphic adorno. Scale 1:1. Figure 4. Grande Anse, Terre de Bas, broad and shallow incisions on red slip. Scale 1:1. Figure 5. Grande Anse, Terre de Bas, rim sherd with fingernail impressions and scratched surface. Scale 1:1. Figure 6. Morne Cybèle 1, La Désirade, anthropomorphic adorno. Scale 1:1. Figure 7. Morne Cybèle, La Désirade, anthropomorphic adornos. Scale 1:1. Figure 8. Morne Cybèle, La Désirade, zoomorphic adorno. Scale 1:1. Figure 9. Morne Cybèle, La Désirade, zoomorphic adorno. Scale 1:1. Figure 10. Morne Cybèle, La Désirade, bowl with a simple restricted contour and punctations on the rim. Scale 1:2. Figure 11. Morne Cybèle, La Désirade, rim lug. Scale 1:1. Figure 12. Morne Cybèle, La Désirade, shell mask.

162 163 THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT OF THE TANKI FLIP SITE, ARUBA : GEOLOGY, GEO- Figure 6.(left) Morne Cybèle 1, La Désirade, anthropo- morphic adorno. Scale 1:1.

Figure 3.(left)Grande Anse, Terre de Bas, anthropomorphic adorno. Scale 1:1.

Figure 4. (right) Grande Anse, Terre de Bas, broad and shallow incisions on red slip. Scale 1:1.

Figure 7. Morne Cybèle, La Désirade, anthropomorphic adornos. Scale 1:1.

Figure 5.(left) Grande Anse, Terre de Bas, rim sherd with fingernail Figure 8. Morne Cybèle, La Désirade, zoo- impressions and scratched morphic adorno. Scale 1:1. surface. Scale 1:1. 164 165 Figure 9. Morne Cybèle, La Désirade, zoo- Figure 11. Morne Cybèle, La Désirade, rim lug. Scale 1:1. morphic adorno. Scale 1:1.

Figure 10. Morne Cybèle, La Désirade, bowl with a simple restricted contour and punctations on the rim. Scale 1:2. Figure 12. Morne Cybèle, La Désirade, shell mask. 166 167