Archaeology, indigenous and local knowledge, and climate change in the Caribbean: select case studies among the Kalinago, Macushi and Maroon communities in the Windward Islands and the Guianas

Abstract

Within the geographic space known as the Caribbean, vulnerability to and because ofclimate-induced hazards is commonplace. Contributing to this are the various geophysicalfeatures and historical land use issues which define the region, some of which have contributedto how traditional communities are both impacted by and respond to the changing climate.These hazards are experienced through rising sea levels, coastal inundation and storm surges,and increasingly severe and erratic weather events, impacting, for example, wet and dryseasons, water and food security, and infrastructure. Although the region's vulnerability hasincreased, climatic challenges are not a 21st century phenomena. Its first inhabitants severalmillennia ago experienced climate-induced and other natural hazards, requiring ongoingadaptation to constantly changing environments. Our traditional communities have had longrelationships with their natural environment and so play a critical role in studying this humanenvironmentdynamic through a long-term perspective. Not only are they exposed to thesehazards contributing to vulnerability at the community level, but their heritage is also exposed.Through their traditional knowledge and archaeological data from their ancient villages,knowledge is passed down today as a guide for climate action and providing essential indicatorsfor past and future resilience.This paper examines how the changing climate intersects with archaeology, Indigenousand local knowledge in relation to ongoing and future climate action and narratives inthe Caribbean. This is approached through a focus on case studies among the Kalinago ofDominica and Saint Vincent, the Macushi from Guyana, and Maroon communities fromSuriname, highlighting how traditional knowledge and archaeological research can providevaluable data concerning past climate adaptation and a better understanding of Indigenousand local responses. This paper emanates from a knowledge-exchange event held in Aruba inNovember 2022, which brought together communities, researchers, and students to discussthe role that archaeology and traditional knowledge can play in the region’s response to thechanging climate.