Leeward Islands Ancient History

Early settlers on the islands were Amerindian tribes who migrated in successive waves either southwards from what is now Florida or northwards from present-day Venezuela, as long ago as 3000 BC according to archaeological evidence. The original stone age tribes were replaced by the agricultural societies of the Saladoids and Arawaks, who were in their turn ousted by the warlike Caribs. The Caribs were the remaining indigenous inhabitants when Spanish explorers arrived in the 15th century.