2017 (Theory): In their concluding remarks on archaeological practice, the authors critique the “elevation” of early European descriptions to the status of r…

2017 (Theory): In their concluding remarks on archaeological practice, the authors critique the “elevation” of early European descriptions to the status of reliable ethnohistory. They argue that archaeologists have historically placed too much trust in the observations of 15th and 16th-century explorers who lacked scientific training. Instead, the authors advocate for a “vibrant understanding” of the indigenous Caribbean derived primarily from the physical evidence of excavations. Their objective is to provide an overview that stays close to the archaeology while avoiding sweeping generalizations based on biased historical documents. This methodology aims to restore the specific, precolonial histories of the entire region to the academic discourse.