| Popis: |
Archaeological research on Carriacou in the southern Grenadines has demonstrated that despite its relatively small size, the island was inhabited prehistorically for at least a thousand years (ca. AD 400-1400) and has an unusually large number of sites. Over the past decade we have conducted research at two major coastal village sites— Grand Bay and Sabazan—that have revealed an archaeologically rich heritage, but one that is also extremely threatened as a result of looting, sand mining, and tidal erosion. Here we provide a brief summary of research from seven field seasons on Carriacou with a focus on results from the 2014 project in what has become one of the longest continuously running field programs in the region. Results demonstrate that Carriacou was: 1) settled slightly later in time (ca. AD 400) compared to nearby islands with higher elevations; 2) engaged in widespread exchange with other islands and possibly mainland South America as evidenced by the discovery of translocated animals, non-local pottery, and ritual objects; and 3) heavily focused on the exploitation of marine resources for subsistence. |
