c.

c. AD 900: Meillacoid pottery became the dominant ceramic tradition in the northern Caribbean, potentially reflecting a period of synergy and transculturation among previously distinct societies. This series is characterized by simple, unpolished vessels decorated with narrow incised designs, appliqué, and punctation. Its emergence coincided with a major shift in subsistence toward the intensification of swidden (slash-and-burn) horticulture and the possible introduction of new cultigens from South America. This agricultural focus is reflected in a settlement shift from coastal and mangrove settings to hilltops, prioritizing access to arable land. Despite this move inland, marine resources remained a significant component of the indigenous diet.