Pedro P. Godo Torres (1)
S antiago F. Silva García (2)
(1) PhD in archaeological
(2) Degree in Physics and Astronomy
amateur archaeologist
In the last decade, the archaeological explorations in the municipality Cabaiguán demonstrate the importance of Aboriginal settlements in the context of the province of Sancti Spiritus and overview of the archeology of our country
From 1978 the group's activity Caonao Group, Speleological Society of Cuba, has registered the report of 16 archaeological sites. Until that time news was known only isolated on findings of aboriginal artifacts, such as to bring Álvarez Conde (1961, 172) in the area of \u200b\u200bNeiva. Moreover, some research results have been presented in partial various scientific events, including highlights of Wastewalker Neiva Viejo (Silva et all, 1985) and Seibacoa (Godo et all: 1988), the latter in collaboration with researchers from the Department of Archaeology and Ethnology Archaeology Center Academy of Sciences of Cuba.
currently Caonao Group members prepare the Archaeological Atlas of the municipality Cabaiguán, compendium of basic information for developing future research and important contribution to the study of Local History and Archaeology in Cuba.
From the materials collected were intended-as the title of this work, provide a summary of economic and cultural indicators most notable archaeological sites. The partial and introductory nature of it is based on that have not yet completed comprehensive studies of materials, an issue which of course includes the excavation project in Wastewalker permitted. From there, our work currently offers the most comprehensive update of the archaeological landscape of the municipality and the elements necessary for finding other sites of its kind in Cuba. The
Wastewalker of Cabaiguán are marked by the landlocked country, with an average distance to the sea about 40 km. approx. However, the location of sites expressing the infrastructure river communications across the river Zaza, Tuinucú, Pumpkin and streams flow as acceptable and Cayajaca Seibacoa; correspond, in general, communities of hunters, fishers and gatherers, and some that present clear evidence of knowledge of agriculture.
The trousseau of these communities is versatile in lithic and ceramic shell, but as we shall see, spread over the different sites by the presence, absence or combination of materials. These are identified with the cultural complex Ciboney Cayo Redondo, also known by the classification of E. Tabío (1984) Preagroalfarero in the Late Phase. However, as we noted, are settlements inland, and it is expected that the geographical condition aspects of the general economy and particular arqueológica.En culture emphasizes the peculiarity of the carved stone industry with highly variable characteristics, which deviate from the traditional parameters assigned to other groups of people in other parts of the country.
Depending on the materials collected were four different categories of settlements. These may be the result of different occupations or activities in Aboriginal communities or correspond to different levels of social development or perhaps chronological stages, but it is impossible to provide a response on the matter. Group them based on their most important cultural elements:
1)-cut stone workshops .- sites correspond to the Ladies, Seibacoa I and II, The Long, Los Morros, Cruz de Neiva, Guayos , The Crucible, The Tejar, Cayajaca I and II.
Accustomed to the multiple character of the evidence in the Wastewalker Cayo Redondo, draws attention to this category are only cores, preforms, chipped stone tools and remains of workshops associated with few pebbles used and no flaking stone artifacts.
carved stone industry relates to the so-called The Ram (Koslowski, 1974 and 1975), which preferably identifies the industries in the towns of Basin and South Cauto Camagüey. The similarity is due to the inventory of tools, preforms and sliced-in majority, and the popularity of the guys reverse touches denticulate, nicks and esquirlados. However, the chips industry in Cabaiguán sites, shows a significant rate of small to medium size -4 to 5 cm on average, sometimes more, what difference of small flakes and microliths, feature and southern Cauto Camagüey. This situation in no way denies the registration of parts of this size in Cabaiguan. Moreover, the adiferencia eastern localities, the flakes are more regular and tend to standardized forms. In essence, it differs from the ram on the dimensional variables and a significant rate sheet, that while not constant in all the Wastewalker, some definitely expressed as part of the industrial tradition.
sites Ladies, The Crucible and Seibacoa I are representative of the presence of laminar tools, rich back knife blades, retouched blades, and other multi-functional tools in secondary. is to note that even when there is a fragmentation technique useful for making films complex, this aspect has been detected at the site Seibacoa I-laminar tools, the vast majority show signs of use. In summary, we can say that at this level of development and in line with the dictates and needs of the Mediterranean economy, Aboriginal communities developed and used tools Cabaiguán laminar. believe that in future functional studies to identify specific productions involving these useful. Today only be inferred on objective grounds that were used for hunting related activities and timber production. We note the dithio Ladies I, The Crucible and Seibacoa I as examples of the significant rates in the whole laminar flake industry. The registration of controlled surface collections offers moving averages between tools and Print sliced. The latter have different dimensions: macrolithic, medium, small and microlithic:
Seibacoa site, which has made a typological study of the industry shows a similar situation and a number of genres and types of tools. Of a total of 213 pieces identified 127 tools, 36 flakes, 34 other sizes, 13 cores and 3 blades. Among the tools, 66 were produced in flakes, 36 blades, 23 in other sizes and 2 nuclei. According to the general typological list for chipped stone industries of the Aboriginal communities in Cuba (Febles, 1987:40-43) in Seibacoa identifies the following genres (Godo et all, 1988). We add in brackets the number of types :
1. Tools plates. 1.1
Scrapers (3) 1.3
retouched truncation (2) 1.4
retouched Prints (7) 1.5
laminate with blunt dorsal (1) 1.6
Prints and tips with spikes or pedunculated (4) 1.8
Drillers (1)
2. Tools sliced \u200b\u200b
2.2 scrapers (1) 2.3
denticulate flakes and other pieces (2) 2.4
notched or notched flakes (2) 2.5
inverse retouched flakes or ventral (4) 2.6
dorsally retouched flakes (3)
3. Core Tools 3.1 Tools
nuclei. 3.1.2 Complex Type chopper (chopping Tool) 3.2 Parts
esquirladas or wedges (1)
The registration of these sites differs from others with predominantly preform flakes and tools.
As we noted at the site Seibacoa, we take again on this occasion to reaffirm that at least in the region of a variant Cabaiguán industrial complex carved stone assignable to Cayo Redondo. This is characterized by the high number tools, highly representative of genres and types in flakes and plates, laminar rate and variable appreciable size from micro to macrolithic exponents. Currently studies are carried out particular sites, so that in the short term we expect to present further details of the industry tecnotipología. Finally, we note the different scale of these Wastewalker-shops, some small to several hundred square feet to the largest, which corresponds to the Ladies I, about 56 000 square meters, approximately (Rojas, 1987). In Figures 2-4 illustrate some carved stone tools in the interest of the observation of the variety of types and copies in sheets.
2)-pebbles used and flaked stone artifacts .- not registered exclusively for these materials are characterized Neiva sites and New Cuba.
The most peculiar of these Wastewalker is due to the preponderance of stones used as hammers, majadores, abrasives and other functions. They are also mortars, stones and pebbles with holluelos dye side. not show a processing industry artifacts, such as occurs at the sites of caution in regard to means of work, but only objects related to the spiritual sphere superstructure. Have found two lytic sites balls and Ladies I Neiva, artifacts as we know, regularly associated with funerary rituals of these communities.
Moreover, Neiva Viejo on the site was collected two stone pendant that can be identified among the largest in Cuba (Fig. 5 AB). The first, cylindrical, is fragmented and measures 17.7 cm in length, while the second (B)-also fragmented, allowing reconstruction of approximate ellipsoidal shape and length of more than 17 cm. The size and weight of these pendants is unlikely to be devoted to common use, instead of exception superstructural parts seem comparable to Cayo Salinas those of -20 and 12 cm long-(Morales Patiño, 1948:4), the largest found by us at El Mango in Cauto River Basin, which measures 21.8 cm in length (Febles and Godo, 1986). guijarrpos The regularity of the working media used as also seen in the Wastewalker-workshops as well as in habitation sites that show a more complex outfit by the presence of simple pottery and shell artifacts.
3)-shell industry and other associated components .- So far in this category, there is the site of La Aurora, but with sufficient grounds to prove the archaeological landscape variables in the municipality Cabaiguán. The evidence collected provide the elements of a maritime-terrestrial dual economy, whether in subsistenciales activities, as well as in terms of its complex artifact. Recently discovered, have not yet studied their materials, so we only briefly comment from the registration area.
A dietary balance of the remains shows the abundance of marine resources. Among the mollusks are the large gastropods, Strombus gigas, Strombus costatus, Cassis madagascariensis and Melongena melongena; also hasya remains of crustaceans, turtles and fish.
dominate the terrestrial fauna of the remains of the genera jutías Capromys, Geocapromys and Boromys and to a lesser extent the turtle (Pseudemys).
A remarkable development seen in the media work made of stone and shell material. In both cases the category of habitation site also includes tools development workshops, an aspect which is based on the remains of the carving.
On the carved stone industry, dominated by small flakes, although we have seen some films with deep touches esquirlados reverse.
On the other hand, there are natural stones used in various functions. However, what stands out in this site because it is inland of the shell industry. Known observed artifacts such as dishes, pots, knives, hammers and various types of points and a staggering 84 gouges. Finally, we point to little evidence of a spiritual-superstructure, consisting of fish vertebrae accounts, are of varying dimensions and a necklace of shell-genus Conus-biconical perforation.
The Aurora can be considered a place of great magnitude. The examination found traces of several mounds, but is very upset by the ongoing work in agriculture. This site is proof of the level of development of the Aboriginal community in the area of \u200b\u200bproductive forces. The leap is not expressed in both the technical means, but in the organizational structure of social production, allowing the exploitation of marine resources. 4) - Wastewalker simple ceramic.
This category identifies the habitation sites Tres Palmas I and Neiva Viejo. In the latter collected a wealth of archaeological material, both surface and consistent finding in the coves of pebbles used, not chipped stone artifacts, stone carvings, dietary remains and important record of a pottery industry.
The data presented below are taken from Silva et all, 1985):
Ceramic Material
408 fragments were collected including 48 simple ceramic borders and two fragments of Buren, one with a straight edge somewhat slanted. No bags, decorations, no flanges.
The thickness of the fragments varies between 0.3 and 1.2 cm, the texture, in general, is porous and largely dark brown and light brown. There is a weak
cooking the low hardness of the pots, there are very few fine fragments of thick and smooth to the touch. In these cases it is a well-made pottery.
By subjecting the sample to microscopic analysis it was found that the temper consists of tiny particles of quartz, sand and elements terrigenous. Apparently there was no selection of temper and used the natural clay. Blow
dietary
Most jutías correspond to residues of gender and Geocapromys Capromys and jicoteas fewer Pseudemys. Lithic Material
pebbles used are highlighted as hammers (5) and their fragments (56), in order that used to secondary mode majadores, polishes, abrasives and mortar. They also found dye hematite stones.
In relation to the carved stone industry is dominated preform (252) and flake tools (206). So far we have seen only 12 useful layered medium in size and some polyfunctional.
As shown, the scan showed no shell artifacts. or dietary remains from the sea.
Concluding Remarks
í here to have set a brief overview of the Archaeology of Cabaiguan, susceptible of being modified in the future or further the issues identified.
Wastewalker The division, taking the most notable characteristics of the materials is conventional and does not, for now, chronological and special partnerships between them. Obviously
maritime communication routes, river provided colonization of the interior of the province of Sancti Spiritus, but there is still a study for the foundation of absolute or relative dating of the settlement. In this direction will also require knowledge of the coastal Wastewalker and other municipalities in the province. Until now we only have a dating method performed with the collagen by Roberto Rodriguez, a researcher at the University of Havana, the analysis of skeletal remains Neiva Viejo site reported an age of 1170 + - 20 years BP In this regard, research current target to establish the reasons for the settlement inland. Because we said that is not accurate chronological and spatial boundaries of these Wastewalker, categories, or clusters of sites provide a tool for initial guidance for archaeological research. Offer a hierarchy of settlements, hypothetically, they can respond to the specific nature of human activity and in some cases, more informed, at a higher level of development of Aboriginal society. The
Wastewalker-carved stone workshops can focus on the basis of a specific target site (Kabo, 1983:215), search and processing of raw materials, flint, timber production, hunting and collateral activities, "which is feasible in organizational structure of social production and economic assimilation of the territory by the Aboriginal community. The activity of specific groups occurs because of biological and seasonal cycles and sometimes responds to internal needs of exploitation of certain material resources. There is also the possibility of an early chronology for these Wastewalker, but to confirm or refute this view requires greater knowledge of the tecnotipología of stone tools, as well as the archaeological landscape of the region. Special attention should
sites Aurora, Tres Palmas and Neiva Viejo. Despite their differences on all fronts exhibit a greater degree of complexity of their settlements. In principle, habitation sites in open areas and inland, also can be noted between the sites of Cuba Cayo Redondo is located at a considerable distance from the sea.
The case of The Aurora complex demonstrates the community's economic structure, which allows the exploitation of marine resources.
A very important detail concerning the collection of 84 chisels, a figure that is comparable only to very few sites of this culture. According to our research
The Ram, the Cauto basin shows the largest number of these devices with 251 copies (Queral, 1980), but with the peculiarity to be considered a scab site. Even when we scored factor waterways, evidence of maritime-terrestrial economy promotes the questioning of the causes of this location on land.
Neiva Viejo La Aurora and correspond to a late chronological event. In particular, the latter does not evidence an orientation to the maritime economy and the presence of a pottery-developed to the level of late Mesolithic communities, "is most notable among archaeological materials.
surface and small creeks in the test up to 30 cm, were collected just 360 sherds and 48 edges. One aspect of interest to cultural typologies referred to the edges and in the collection of Neiva Old are very abundant, mostly straight and flared with no ridges and peaks, but highly variable in the buffers. A fragment of pottery shows a hole near the edge diamond shape, rather estimate for a utilitarian function.
As is well known, for decades the collection has been reported, in a very limited number of simple ceramic sites, which the general characteristics of its inventory, identify with the cultural complex Cayo Redondo, but very few they have a sample comparable to Neiva Viejo.
is important to cite the site's Manaca, explored in 1948 by Felipe Pichardo Moya and Jose Alvarez Conde (1961); addition to the interest that is in the neighboring municipality of Fomento. The same author points out that very close Wastewalker on the Left Bank Agabama was a tile, which very well could be the source of clay for the pottery industry. And in the wreckage dietary hutia mentions, birds and fish. The importance of this site, too far from the coast and abundant pottery, justified to quote the ratio of excavated materials. It should be remembered things how are you: fish known and sometimes not even referenced in the archaeological literature, which shows a generalization of Cayo Redondo, fisherman and marine collector, outlined on the coasts, swamps and cays and is less concerned with social development processes of these communities.
simple pottery could be an indicator, in terms of unique forms of cultural changes that occurred in the economic and social structure. The content of the process would be sought in the social and material prerequisites of the food producing economy, the specifics of this development and the causes of such a modification of the productive forces. In this respect it is not all attributable to ethnocultural processes, these seem to affect in some cases, but in no way should be waived to the inner potential which has led society, if we take into account the background and experience of the economy maritime high volume productivity and food resources.
here is the relationship Álvarez Conde (1961:101) on materials from the site The Manaca:
Another example for comparison relates to Wastewalker Punta Macao, in Guanabo, Havana province (Martínez, 1986). It is a coastal site with a multi typical outfit Cayo Redondo-lithic and shell, an industry carved stone microliths associated with the complex Canímar-Aguas Verdes and simple pottery shards (197) and Buren (19). The record of the latter as an indicator of bitter cassava farming is not the same in this case identification with Taino Arawak communities, Subtaínas farming and pottery or they will call. Years ago we made this observation (Godo 1985). As we noted is a multicomponent site rather the product of an ethno-cultural.
is very low registration of pottery, of a part is decorated pottery, which contradicts the variety of styles and series recognized for Arawak communities. Moreover, very few fragments of Buren, a situation that seems to show that the bulk of food is not of cassava. Furthermore no longer see other cultural indicators specific to these communities. Obviously, the Arawaks farmers involved in the process, but can not assert a kind of assimilation ethnic communities by Arawak. These indicators are very weak compared to other communities that provide Mesolithic. In any case, the variables of cultural elements follows the signs of a cultural process, in which the result differs from the components of backgrounds and points to a new reality. Something similar
Neiva Viejo can arise from simple ceramics and detail of the two fragments of Buren. It is likely that the pottery industry is the result of independent development and also cultural exchanges. But the issue of Buren, even when it is only two fragments promotes the hypothesis of the Arawak community relations farmers, because these devices not only make the bitter cassava, but also a peculiar process of cassava bread. In effect, are well known Wastewalker Arawaks in the province of Sancti Spiritus and hence the possible relationships between these communities.
A final issue concerns the impact of agriculture in the food complex in Neiva Viejo, which did not exclude the possibility that practice as well as cassava crops. But the level of current data is to assume that farming out of order or at the most balanced side with the forms of appropriation.
archaeological studies and experience of Ethnography han demostrado que no existe una obligada correspondencia entre la alfarería y la agricultura y como quiera que este asunto de los cultivos incipientes es objeto de investigación en Cuba en los últimos años, el caso de Neiva Viejo promueve inevitablemente las hipótesis en torno al controvertido problema. Hasta hoy el asunto de la "protoagricultura" ha sido inferido más bien a partir de indicadores indirectos, entre ellos sin dudas, y con un gran peso la presencia de la cerámica; pues la señalada no correspondencia obligada, en ningún modo se expresa en términos absolutos. También es muy frecuente en el ambiente americano y en particular en las Antillas la regularidad de ambos componentes. Al efecto, la cerámica de Neiva Viejo is not an element of secondary importance in the outfit, but a definite cultural tradition of the community, which must be added subsistencial activity of land resources. Again, one may question the causes of this location, away from the sea and that model seems to be defined in the direction of the material and social assumptions of the producing economy.
In the coming years the construction of the Atlas Archaeological excavations and comprehensive surveys of the conclusions throw Wastewalker overcome this brief introduction to the archeology of the region. For the moment suffice it to say a regional particularity of culture-variant Cayo Redondo archaeological culture- observed to present novel data on the profile of the economic structure and the variables of the very elements of their culture. REFERENCES
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Copyright: Pedro P. James F. Torres
Godo Silva García
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