Cultural Interactions and Trade in Pre-Columbian St. Martin

The archaeological record of St. Martin provides evidence of extensive cultural interactions and trade networks that connected the island’s pre-Columbian inhabitants with other communities across the Caribbean.

These interactions are evident in the artifacts discovered at sites such as Baie Rouge, Cupecoy Bay, and Great Bay, where items made from non-local materials have been found, indicating a system of trade and exchange. During the archaeological reconnaissance of 1979-1981 by M.P. Sypkens Smit and A.H. Versteeg, several artifacts were identified as having origins outside of St. Martin. For example, stone tools made from chert, which is not native to the island, were found at multiple sites. These tools likely came from neighboring islands, such as Anguilla or St. Eustatius, suggesting that the inhabitants of St. Martin were engaged in active trade with other communities in the Lesser Antilles.

Additionally, the stylistic similarities between the pottery and petroglyphs found on St. Martin and those on other Caribbean islands suggest shared cultural practices and artistic traditions. The presence of zemis, which are three-pointed idols used in religious ceremonies, further indicates that St. Martin was part of a broader cultural sphere that included the Taíno and Arawak peoples.

These trade networks and cultural exchanges were crucial for the development of the island’s society, providing access to materials, goods, and ideas that were not locally available.

The study of these interactions helps archaeologists understand the interconnectedness of the Caribbean’s pre-Columbian societies and the role that St. Martin played within this regional network.

References: Sypkens Smit, M.P., Versteeg, A.H. (1982). Preliminary Report on the Archaeology of St. Martin. Rouse, I. (1986). The Tainos: Rise and Decline of the People Who Greeted Columbus.