c.

c. AD 350 – 500: The Caribbean archaeological record shows a notable shift as Barrancoid ceramic influences from South America began to supplement or supplant earlier Saladoid traditions. This period is marked by the appearance of distinct pottery traits that indicate continued and prominent connections with mainland communities. While these influences were strong in the southern islands, local styles in the northern Caribbean began to become more distinctive and autonomous toward the end of this period. This transition suggests a gradual loosening of ties with the South American “homeland” as island populations grew and diversified. Archaeologists use these changing ceramic series to track the evolution of social and political networks across the archipelago.