c.

c. 5000 BC – AD 1492: The Lesser Antilles represent a region of immense variability in size, geology, and climate, which dictated the unique histories of its various island communities. These islands were first settled during the Archaic Age and later resettled by different groups during the Ceramic Age. Because of their diverse environments, these communities developed distinct subsistence strategies and social organizations over thousands of years. The authors highlight that the historical transition of these groups into the colonial era is often misunderstood due to over-reliance on European records. Understanding this long-term development requires a close examination of material culture rather than just the reports of untrained colonial observers.