c.

c. AD 1200 – 1500: Archaeological evidence from the Bahamian archipelago, including the Turks and Caicos, indicates that the islands were settled by Lucayan groups migrating from Hispaniola and Cuba. These settlers produced a local ceramic tradition known as Palmetto Ware, characterized by its thick walls and the inclusion of crushed burnt shell as a tempering agent. Because the Bahamas lacked the high-quality clays found in the Greater Antilles, Lucayan potters adapted their techniques to the available carbonate-rich soils. The presence of imported Chicoid and Meillacoid sherds alongside local Palmetto Ware confirms that the Lucayans maintained active trade links with their parent communities to the south.