In 1492, Columbus described the Caribbean as heavily populated and rich with gold, but new groundbreaking DNA research reveals a different story. By analyzing the genomes of 263 ancient individuals, researchers have shown that the Caribbean was settled far later than most of the Americas and through two major migration waves—separated by thousands of years. This study overturns old population estimates, offers a clearer picture of how the islands were peopled, and highlights centuries of cultural exchange and mingling. Far from myth, science now tells the real story of the Caribbean’s first peoples.
For centuries, the origins of the Caribbean’s first peoples were a mystery. Now, groundbreaking ancient DNA research from sites across the islands reveals a vivid story of migration, isolation, and identity. By sequencing 93 ancient individuals, scientists have uncovered two distinct migration waves: the Archaic Age settlers, possibly linked to North America’s Channel Islands, and the later Ceramic Age peoples with strong ties to South America’s riverine cultures. This discovery not only rewrites the history of who first called the Caribbean home—it also shows how ancient seafarers crossed vast ocean distances, creating a legacy that remains distinct to this day.
Why should Columbus statues come down? The answer lies in the voices of those he tried to erase—the Taíno, the first Peoples of the Caribbean. For 525 years, history books claimed the Taíno were extinct. Yet today, their descendants are rising, reclaiming identity, rewriting history, and challenging institutions that continue to deny their existence. TAINO DAKA (I AM) is a documentary that follows this journey of truth and resilience, revealing a living people once thought lost and a cultural revival that is reshaping the meaning of Caribbean heritage and indigenous survival.
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