Marine archaeologists have discovered a cache of polished jadeite axe heads in a submerged cave system off the coast of the Dominican Republic, providing definitive evidence of maritime trade between the Caribbean islands and the Maya civilization of the Yucatan Peninsula. The stones were sourced from the Motagua Valley in Guatemala, suggesting that sea-faring canoes navigated hundreds of miles of open ocean to exchange luxury goods.
This 'Jadeite Link' challenges the long-held view that Caribbean cultures were isolated from the great Mesoamerican empires. The artifacts, which date back to 600 CE, were found alongside obsidian blades and volcanic pottery, indicating a robust and diverse trading network. The discovery has prompted a call for a transnational heritage corridor to protect the submerged routes of the ancient Caribbean voyagers.