Caribbean Jade

Did You Know: Jade is a generic term often used to describe various greenish gemstones found around the Greater Caribbean region, from the islands to the Caribbean-coastal areas of the continent. Archeologists, gemologists and others note there is a distinction between what is termed “true jade” and other stones, sometimes termed “social jade.” True jade includes nephrite and jadeite, which is harder and denser. Jadeite has a range of colors, but nephrite is found in cream and green colors. A related term jadeitite refers to rocks that consist mostly of jadeite, which is used as a carving material.  Social jade varies among serpentine, quartz, agates, turquoise, and radiolarian limestone. In the Antilles, these stones were used by the Indigenous Peoples of the region to produce and or distribute adornments and tools (utilitarian and ceremonial) that had temporal and spiritual significance. While jadeite items are relatively commonly known, serpentine items seem to be the most widely distributed. The lack of documented jadeitite quarries on the islands indicates that it was a valued trade item in ancient times from island to island and or from the continent to the islands. - © 2019 UCTP Taíno News 

References

What is the Caribbean? An Archaeological Perspective, Reniel Rodriguez Ramos, Universidad de Puerto Rico, Utuado Campus, Caribbean Journal of Archaeology, 2010 

What is Jade?, Hobart King, Ph.D., Geology.com

The Koaiuko (Coayuco) River

Did You Know: The Rio Yauco in Borikén (Puerto Rico) was originally called the Koaiuko (Coayuco). It was at the mouth of this river that the first recorded battle against the Spaniards was undertaken by Borikua Taíno in 1511 during the first week of January. Many historians state the exact day of the battle was January 3rd. The Spanish chronicler Gonzalo Fernández de Oviedo (1478-1557), in his book "Historia General de las Indias", wrote that "the Christians and the Indians fought the first battle in the land of Agüeybaná at the mouth of the Coayuco River." This reference affirms that the location of the Agüeibaná clan was in the area of the contemporary town of Guayanilla. Local historians have noted that during that time the Rio Yauco flowed into Ventana Beach, in the Boca de Guayanilla neighborhood.

- © 2017 UCTP Taino News

References

Brau, S. (1904). Historia de Puerto Rico. D. Appleton y Compañía.

Fernández de Oviedo y Valdés, G. (1851). Historia general y natural de las Indias, islas y tierra-firme del mar océano (J. Amador de los Ríos, Ed.) (Vol. 1). Imprenta de la Real Academia de la Historia. (Original work published 1535)