The colonization of the Bahama archipelago: A reappraisal

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Abstract
A number of colonization models have been proposed to explain the prehistoric peopling of the Bahamas archipelago from the Greater Antilles. Each varies in respect to place of origin, timing of migration and settlement, routes of movement, intentionality, settlement permanency and causal agents. The paper summarizes the evidence for each of the models. A new model which suggests that late Ostionan Ostionoid people from northern Cuba colonized the central Bahama archipelago circa ad 600–900 is presented. This model incorporates the articulation of palaeoclimatic push factors, economic pull factors, ease of transport factors and shallow bank navigation.