Prehistoric Americas

1. Prehistoric Americas The First Civilizations of The Caribbean

2. Before Christopher Columbus Some ancient village sites in Caribbean dated as far back as 6000 BC Earliest evidence in Cuba, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico

3. Island Populations • Shell and stone tools dated 2,000 BC • Bone and shell jewelry dated 800 BC • Three distinct tribes: • Saladoid • Taino • Carib

4. The Saladoid Originated from mouth of the Orinoco River in Venezuela Occupied Trinidad and then the Greater Antilles Named for origins in Saladero, Venezuela

5. The Saladoid Introduced pottery, tools and agriculture to hunter/gatherer tribes Absorbed most tribes in these areas Became an integrated community throughout islands

6. The Taino Saladoid advanced into Taino culture in 1200 BC culture on Hispaniola further developed agriculture to include cotton body painting, piercing and headdresses developed First to developed gold-copper-silver alloys

7. The Taino Expert woodworkers and stone carvers Women had high status as their bloodlines determined chiefs Created first communal houses, central plazas and ball-courts

8. The Taino Created their own gods called Zemis Zemis encompassed spiritual, cosmic, ancestral and supernatural They were the tribe first encountered by Christopher Columbus in 1492

9. The Caribs Late arrivals to the Caribbean ~1400’s Colonized the Lesser Antilles Close trading relations with mainland South America Developed fishing techniques of hooks, nets and harpoons

10. The Caribs A more basic society Less hierarchy, religion and less sophisticated crafts and tools than Taino Wore jewelry of stone and wood to protect against evil spirits – mabouya Petroglyphs give evidence to these accounts

11. The Caribs Accused of cannibalism by Taino Allowed Columbus to define the savagery of the natives Most incorrect impressions and misunderstandings of Amerindians in South and Central America began in the Caribbean.

12. Prehistoric Americas The First Civilizations of The Caribbean