c.

c. 4000 BC – 2000 BC: While the flaked-stone complexes of the Greater Antilles are well-documented, the “Archaic Age” is more often characterized by a greater diversity of ground-stone and shell tools. These assemblages typically include items such as conical pestles, stone balls, and various types of axes used for processing food and materials. In the Dominican Republic, sites like Barrera-Mordan have provided a baseline for understanding these early technological adaptations to island environments. Researchers use these varying tool kits to distinguish between different waves of migration and local cultural developments. The shift from predominantly flaked tools to a more varied ground-stone inventory reflects a broadening of indigenous subsistence strategies.