2017 (Nomenclature): The authors adopt the term “Archaic Age” as a consistent means to designate the diverse social and cultural expressions of the Caribbean…

2017 (Nomenclature): The authors adopt the term “Archaic Age” as a consistent means to designate the diverse social and cultural expressions of the Caribbean’s earliest colonists. They acknowledge that while the term is not ideal, it helps distinguish these first societies from the later “Ceramic Age” arrivals. From a Realist perspective, the Archaic is viewed simultaneously as a chronological age, a developmental stage, and a specific economic pattern. This period saw these indigenous groups transform over millennia before they eventually interacted with Saladoid migrants. By using this name, the authors aim to provide a clear framework for discussing the archipelago’s multi-dimensional and chaotic mosaic of communities.