c.

c. AD 1200 – 1500: In the province of Maniabón, Cuba, indigenous groups utilized a specific landscape management strategy involving the placement of settlements on hillsides to overlook fertile “red lands” (tierras rojas). This positioning provided a clear view of agricultural fields and approaching visitors while protecting residential areas from seasonal flooding in the lower valleys. The presence of elaborate Chicoid pottery and ceremonial vomit spatulas at these sites indicates they were central nodes in a regional network of high-status communities. This settlement pattern demonstrates a highly organized approach to balancing agricultural productivity with social and defensive needs.