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Comments on the Mainland Origins of the Preceramic Cultures of the Greater Antilles

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Richard T. Callaghan
Richard T. Callaghan*
Affiliation:
Department of Archaeology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta Canada T2N 1N4
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Abstract

Computer simulations are used to shed light on the probable origins of the earliest Preceramic cultures of the Greater Antilles and to understand the navigation skills necessary for island colonization. These cultures, dating to between ca. 4000 B.C. and 2000 B.C., are found on Cuba, Hispaniola, and possibly Puerto Rico. Two areas, northern South America and northern Central America, have assemblages that bear resemblance to the assemblages of the Greater Antilles, but there are important differences. Chance discovery of the Greater Antilles is possible from three areas: northern South America, northern Central America, and southern Florida. Directed voyages have a high degree of success from all three areas. However, voyages from northern South America require the least navigational skill, making it the most likely source of colonization. From northern Central America, foreknowledge of the islands appears to be required, while directed voyages from southern Florida encounter considerable risk.

Se emplean modelos de simulación por computadora para entender los origenes posibles de las primeras culturas precerámicas de las Antillas Mayores, así como las habilidades necesarias para realizar su colonización. Estas culturas, que tienen fechas entre 4000 a.C. y 2000 a.C, se encuentran en la Cuba, la Española y posiblemente en Puerto Rico. Dos áreas, la parte norte de Sudamérica y la región norte de Centroamérica, tienen conjuntos arqueológicos que presentan semejanzas con aquellos de las Antillas Mayores. Sin embargo existen diferencias importantes, especialmente en las industrias líticas. Los resultados de la simulación indican que hubo posibilidades del descubrimiento de las Antillas Mayores desde tres áreas: el norte de Sudamérica, el norte de Centroamérica y el sur de la Florida. Hay grandes posibilidades de éxito en viajes intencionales desde cualquiera de estas áreas. Sin embargo, los viajes desde Sudamérica requieren menos habilidades para la navegación, haciendo que esta sea lafuente más probable de la colonización. Parece ser necesario tener un conocimiento previo de la existencia de las islas para realizar el viaje desde América Central, y el viaje directo desde el sur de la Florida involucra riesgos considerables. Finalmente, este estudio sugiere que los conjuntos arqueológicos de la Centroamérica, de Sudamérica y de las Antillas Mayores requieren de un análisis comparativo detallado antes de poder sacar una conclusión sólido con respecto al origen de las primeras culturas de las Antillas Mayores.

Type
Reports
Information
Latin American Antiquity , Volume 14 , Issue 3 , September 2003 , pp. 323 - 338
Copyright
Copyright © 2003 by the Society for American Archaeology.

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