2017 (Theory): Keegan and Hofman emphasize that the Early Ceramic Age was characterized by a “vibrant” network of specialized production centers that were ec…

2017 (Theory): Keegan and Hofman emphasize that the Early Ceramic Age was characterized by a “vibrant” network of specialized production centers that were economically interdependent. They argue that the focus on specific crafts, such as bead making or celt production, allowed different island communities to maintain unique roles within a shared regional system. This period saw the materialization of social status through the use of rare stones, shells, and precious metals obtained from both local and distant mainland sources. By analyzing the distribution of production debris versus finished goods, the authors reconstruct the “social geography” of the pre-Columbian Caribbean. This perspective highlights the sophistication of indigenous maritime trade and the importance of material culture in mediating social relationships across the archipelago.