2017 (Theory): In their synthesis of Early Ceramic Age dynamics, Keegan and Hofman emphasize that the transition from the Archaic to the Ceramic Age was not …

2017 (Theory): In their synthesis of Early Ceramic Age dynamics, Keegan and Hofman emphasize that the transition from the Archaic to the Ceramic Age was not a simple replacement of one group by another. Instead, the period was defined by complex interactions, cultural hybridity, and the coexistence of different technological traditions. The authors argue that focusing solely on pottery styles can mask the deeper social processes of transculturation occurring between established “Archaic” groups and incoming migrants. By integrating lithic analysis, lapidary evidence, and precise dating, they aim to provide a more “kaleidoscopic” view of this transformative era. This approach seeks to honor the diverse historical trajectories of the various island communities that shaped the pre-Columbian Caribbean.