c.

c. AD 1200 – 1500 (Theory): The concept of the “Archipelago-wide Social Web” is used to describe the high level of connectivity that persisted in the Caribbean despite the geographic fragmentation of the islands. This model emphasizes that no island was truly isolated; rather, each was a node in a vast network of social, economic, and ritual exchange. Maritime mobility via single-tree canoes allowed for the constant flow of people, materials, and ideas, creating a “vibrant” cultural landscape where innovations in one area rapidly influenced others. This theoretical framework challenges the traditional view of islands as isolated laboratories, instead presenting the Caribbean as a dynamic and integrated maritime world.