c.

c. AD 1200 – 1500: In the vicinity of the Windward Passage, the Monte Cristo site contains a unique parallelogram-shaped enclosure with rounded corners, estimated to be about 42 meters wide. Archaeological surveys identified two large mounds associated with the enclosure, one of which was located directly inside the structure. Although dense vegetation has limited detailed investigation of all the features, the site’s organized layout suggests it served a specialized ceremonial or residential function. The presence of such structured landscapes in eastern Cuba aligns with the broader Caribbean trend toward ritualized and hierarchical social spaces. These sites demonstrate the complex ways in which Late Ceramic Age societies shaped their environment to reflect social and spiritual order.