c.

c. AD 600 – 1400: Archaeological evidence from the Anse à la Gourde site on Guadeloupe indicates a shift in subsistence strategies between the Saladoid and post-Saladoid periods. While mammals like rice rats and agouti were abundant in earlier phases, later inhabitants relied more heavily on a specialized capture strategy targeting reef fish, crabs, and sea urchins. A notable change occurred in the consumption of Cittarium pica (West Indian top shell), moving from a “destructive” extraction method involving puncturing the shell to a “non-destructive” method likely involving cooking or grilling the whole shell. Despite these shifts, marine resources like surgeonfish, jacks, and parrotfish remained a dietary staple throughout the site’s occupation. This transition reflects the long-term adaptation of local communities to changing ecological conditions and population demands.