Genetic Perspectives on the pre- and Early Contact Histories of Jamaica

Archeological work in Jamaica has provided great insights into the history of human habitation on the island. As detailed in previous literature and in this volume’s accompanying articles, analysis of material culture in Jamaica has illustrated dynamic environments and complex socioeconomic systems marked by interaction and exchange of goods and ideas. However, there are still many open questions regarding the origins, timing, and routes used to populate the island as well as the biological relationships between Circum-Caribbean peoples and the initial migrants to Jamaica. Regarding the contact period, there is still much to be learned about the biological impacts of European colonialism and African chattel slavery on the demography of Jamaican populations, including the potential for Afro-Indigenous interactions on the island. Genomic approaches offer novel opportunities to address these types of questions. After presenting genetic anthropological research about Jamaican pre- and post-contact peoples, we comment on the potential of genomic approaches to enhance questions of archeological significance. Ultimately, interdisciplinary approaches incorporating archeology, bioarcheology, and genetic will be critical for a more holistic understanding of Jamaica’s deep past.