c. AD 1000 – 1500 (Theory): In Jamaica, the Paradise site and the Sweetwater site demonstrate significant differences in their lithic and shell tool assemblages despite being relatively close to one another.

c. AD 1000 – 1500 (Theory): In Jamaica, the Paradise site and the Sweetwater site demonstrate significant differences in their lithic and shell tool assemblages despite being relatively close to one another. While the Paradise site yielded abundant flaked chert and shell axes, the Sweetwater site was characterized by a paucity of conch shell tools and a heavy reliance on bivalve shells for tool production. Researchers concluded that while the raw material for stone tools at both sites was likely sourced from the same river and processed using similar flaking techniques, the functional requirements of each settlement led to divergent tool kits. These variations reflect the highly localized nature of indigenous economies, where communities tailored their technology to the specific plants, animals, and terrains they managed. This fine-grained archaeological record challenges the idea of a uniform “Meillacoid” culture across the island.