c.

c. AD 400 – 1000: Excavations at Early Ceramic Age sites have uncovered vast quantities of “social valuables,” including personal adornments made from carnelian, greenstone, serpentinite, and amethyst. The monopoly over these specific mineral resources and the specialized production of beads and amulets attest to the competitive and emulative behavior of autonomous communities. Interestingly, many of these finished valuables were buried directly in village middens, a practice that materialized social dynamics and reinforced community identity. These exchange items served as vital links, maintaining social connections between widely scattered settlements across the archipelago. This high-prestige economy underscores the sophistication of early maritime trade and social signaling.