ABSTRACT
Figure 3.1 presents the occurrence and percentages of phytoliths in the samples analyzed. Each sample is associated with two bars indicating percentage frequencies. The upper bar represents the fine silt and the lower bar the coarse silt. With the exception of a few Compositae phytoliths, sand phytoliths were largely absent, while phytoliths from Cucurbita rinds (Figure 3.2a) were common. These phytoliths were present in samples 5131, 4028, 761, 9017, 3649, 1193, 1194, and 3646. Samples number 761, 1193, and 1194 are associated with a date range of between cal. AD 65 and cal. AD 420 (2-sigma, Beta 65474). Wild Cucurbita has not been identified from the Virgin Islands, but it must be cautioned that a species of wild squash related to Cucurbita argyrosperma ssp. sororia, the wild ancestor of the domesticated Cucurbita argyrosperma, was recently discovered in Panama (Andres & Piperno, 1995). It is possible that it is the wild ancestor of Cucurbita moschata. The Virgin Islands has similar environments with prolonged dry seasons and xerophytic vegetation suitable for growth of wild squashes. Given the age of the site and the lack of reports for the occurrence of wild members of the genus in the area, we may tentatively assign a domesticated status to the remains at Tutu, with the caveat that botanical survey needs to be undertaken to rule out the presence of wild Cucurbita.
