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. 2019 Dec 18;5(12):eaar7806.
doi: 10.1126/sciadv.aar7806. eCollection 2019 Dec.

Reevaluating human colonization of the Caribbean using chronometric hygiene and Bayesian modeling

Matthew F Napolitano  1 , Robert J DiNapoli  1 , Jessica H Stone  1 , Maureece J Levin  2 , Nicholas P Jew  3 , Brian G Lane  1 , John T O'Connor  1 , Scott M Fitzpatrick  1   4
Affiliations

Reevaluating human colonization of the Caribbean using chronometric hygiene and Bayesian modeling

Matthew F Napolitano et al. Sci Adv. .

Abstract

Human settlement of the Caribbean represents the only example in the Americas of peoples colonizing islands that were not visible from surrounding mainland areas or other islands. Unfortunately, many interpretive models have relied on radiocarbon determinations that do not meet standard criteria for reporting because they lack critical information or sufficient provenience, often leading to specious interpretations. We have collated 2484 radiocarbon determinations, assigned them to classes based on chronometric hygiene criteria, and constructed Bayesian colonization models of the acceptable determinations to examine patterns of initial settlement. Colonization estimates for 26 islands indicate that (i) the region was settled in two major population dispersals that likely originated from South America; (ii) colonists reached islands in the northern Antilles before the southern islands; and (iii) the results support the southward route hypothesis and refute the "stepping-stone model."

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1. Bayesian modeled colonization estimates for 26 Caribbean islands suggest two distinct population dispersals.
Colonists reached islands in the northern Antilles bypassing islands in the southern Lesser Antilles, refuting a stepping stone pattern. SS denotes the stepping stone model, and SRH denotes the southward route hypothesis.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2. Colonization age estimates (95% HPD) after chronometric hygiene and Bayesian modeling.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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