Causes and Consequences of Colonization in the Caribbean: What Is Known and What Is Unknowable

Summary

One of the defining characteristics of humans is our propensity to migrate. However, the push or pull factors resulting in human migrations may be impossible to know in some cases. Furthermore, our sole reliance on the archaeological record may mislead our understanding of the timing and impact of migrations. Recognizing migrations in the archaeological past is made especially difficult in cases where migrating groups were small, leaving ephemeral traces of their occupations. Paleoenvironmental indicators provide clues to human activities that may predate known archaeological material remains. This paper will explore the interplay of cultural, social, and environmental causes for migrations into the Caribbean beginning at least 8,000 years ago and the environmental consequences of human occupation in the region.

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

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 15905