c.

c. AD 1200 – 1500: Archaeological research in the Dominican Republic, particularly at the site of Punta Cana, has identified early Meillacoid occupations that provide insight into the transition toward more complex agricultural societies. Studies by M. Veloz Maggiolo, E. Ortega, and F. Luna Calderón suggest that these early inhabitants utilized specific ecological niches along the eastern coast of Hispaniola, balancing the exploitation of marine resources with the cultivation of root crops. The material culture from these sites, including distinct pottery styles and lithic tools, reflects the broader regional shifts occurring in the Greater Antilles during the Late Ceramic Age.