2017 (Theory): Keegan and Hofman conclude that the appearance of Meillacoid and Chicoid pottery represents a fundamental transformation in Caribbean social a…

2017 (Theory): Keegan and Hofman conclude that the appearance of Meillacoid and Chicoid pottery represents a fundamental transformation in Caribbean social and economic life. They argue that these styles are not just chronological markers but are indicative of shifting priorities, such as the move toward intensified agriculture and the establishment of larger, more permanent inland settlements. The authors suggest that the “Classic Taíno” culture was the end product of centuries of interaction, hybridity, and adaptation among diverse island populations. By moving away from a focus on single migration events, they emphasize the importance of local historical processes and regional integration. This perspective provides a more dynamic and “kaleidoscopic” understanding of the complex societies that inhabited the Caribbean before Columbus.