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U.S. Territories and Possessions

History Archaeologists have found evidence that Puerto Rico was home to several indigenous groups. While the Taino , a Native American tribe that came in contact with European explorers, are the most well-known, there were sev- eral other groups to inhabit the island before the Taino. Evidence of a first century culture referred to as the Archaics has been found near San Juan and it is not cer- tain whether the Archaics migrated from another Caribbean island or from South America. More is known about the Igneri or Saladoid people who were more sophis- ticated than the Archaics and very

skilled at making pottery. This group that came from South America and set- tled near the coasts may have been con- quered by other indigenous groups that also migrated from South America. It is also possible that they may have moved further inland and over time become the Ostionoid people. The Ostionoids were more advanced than the Igneri. Scholars think they made less pottery and more stone objects. It is also believed that the Taino incorporated some of the Ostionoids’ religion and social struc- ture into their culture. The Taino people of Puerto Rico are an offshoot of a larger group called the Arawak . The Tainos of Puerto Rico had a language and culture in common with the Tainos that also set- tled other Caribbean islands, includ- ing nearby island of Hispaniola (the land mass that contains Haiti and the Dominican Republic). Taino society had two classes. In the ruling class, power was usually passed through the mother’s side of a family. By the time Christopher Columbus arrived in 1493, the Tainos had

Did You Know?

The Taino people played a ball game that has some elements in common with modern soccer. Players could use feet and other body parts to move the ball, but they were not allowed to use their hands.