MODELING DISPERSAL IN THE PREHISTORIC WEST-INDIES

In an effort to study population movements in the prehistoric West Ind ies, a model that describes dispersal under two specific sets of condi tions was deduced from the Verhulst-Pearl logistic equation of density -dependent population growth - the same equation that previously gave us the carrying-capacity concept and r- and K-selection model. Populat ion expansion in the prehistoric West Indies is shown to have occurred at a rapid pace during which only the most highly ranked resources we re pursued. These conclusions contradict the conventional wisdom and p rovide insights into the economic, social and political foundations of Taino culture.