2013 (Theory): Modern analysis of Late Ceramic Age pottery modes reveals significant similarities between Puerto Rican designs and “Meillacoid” motifs found …
2013 (Theory): Modern analysis of Late Ceramic Age pottery modes reveals significant similarities between Puerto Rican designs and “Meillacoid” motifs found further west. These shared decorative elements suggest that social identities in the pre-Columbian Caribbean were fluid and characterized by constant cross-cultural exchange. Rather than viewing pottery styles as markers of closed ethnic blocks, authors Keegan and Hofman see them as part of a shared regional aesthetic. This perspective allows for a more dynamic understanding of how indigenous groups in Puerto Rico and Hispaniola maintained social cohesion. By focusing on shared modes rather than rigid types, archaeologists can better capture the “kaleidoscopic” nature of ancient Caribbean social life.