c.

c. AD 1200 – 1500 (Theory): The concept of “External Warfare” in the pre-contact Caribbean is used to explain the social and defensive organization of late-period communities. Rather than seeking territorial conquest, indigenous warfare often took the form of rapid maritime raids intended to capture prestigious items, women, or captives for ritual use. Keegan and Hofman suggest that this persistent threat of “Carib” or rival chiefdom raids influenced the placement of villages on high, defensible ridges and the construction of communal palisades. This form of conflict was a major driver of social competition and served to strengthen the internal authority of the caciques who successfully defended their people.