c.

c. AD 1492 (Maritime Navigation): The diario of Christopher Columbus provides crucial descriptions of indigenous maritime capabilities, noting that “canoes came to the ship” from various islands. These vessels were carved from single tree trunks and were capable of carrying dozens of individuals across open water between the Bahamas, Cuba, and Hispaniola. The speed and efficiency of these canoes facilitated the robust inter-island trade and communication networks that Columbus observed upon his arrival. Archaeological finds of wooden canoe paddles at sites like Los Buchillones further substantiate these historical accounts.