c.

c. 200 BC – AD 200: The discovery of the Punta Candelero site in eastern Puerto Rico significantly altered the debate regarding the relationship between “Huecoid” and “Saladoid” cultures. Before this find, some researchers argued that Huecoid simply represented a subseries or specialization within the broader Saladoid tradition. However, Punta Candelero provided clear evidence of Huecoid materials existing in isolation without any association to the Hacienda Grande (Saladoid) style. This archaeological context indicated that the Huecoid manifestation represented a unique and distinct material culture. The site served as a crucial piece of evidence in establishing the Huecoid as a separate cultural horizon in the Caribbean.