Reevaluating the Pre-Columbian Colonization of the Caribbean using Chronometric Hygiene and Bayesian Modeling

Summary

The timing and pattern of initial human arrival to the Caribbean islands is discontinuous and anomalous, especially considering their proximity to both mainland areas and adjacent islands. With the exception of Trinidad, which was probably colonized ca. 8000 BP—but was connected to mainland South America during the late Pleistocene/early Holocene (and remains close to Venezuela)—some of the Antilles appear to have been colonized quite early ca. 7000-6000 BP, while others were settled centuries or even millennia after nearby land masses. In addition, some islands have no documented Pre-Columbian settlements, which is curious given the generally small area and intervisibility of most islands. To better examine the pattern of prehistoric settlement in the Caribbean, we have compiled the largest database of radiocarbon dates currently available that consists of almost 2,000 dates. Using a strict chronometric hygiene protocol and a series of Bayesian models, we compare refined colonization estimates for more than 20 islands with several hypotheses that address prehistoric population dispersals in the region. In addition, our results highlight the need for improved radiocarbon dating protocols to help refine chronologies and provide more robust interpretations of island colonization.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 82nd Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC (2017)   •
• Sailing at the Edge of Time: Global Perspectives on Island Colonization

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 14620