c.

c. 400 BC – AD 500: The Early Ceramic Age is characterized by the widespread appearance of pottery and more permanent agricultural settlements across the islands. Key archaeological sites from this era include Trants in Montserrat and Hacienda Grande in Puerto Rico, which display sophisticated ceramic styles. This period represents a major shift in social organization, marked by increased sedentary life and complex symbolic expressions. The inhabitants of this time, often associated with the Saladoid culture, established extensive maritime exchange networks. Their material remains provide deep insights into the evolving cosmologies and social identities of the pre-Columbian Caribbean.