The Rio Nuevo Taino Site, in St. Mary, is an important piece of Jamaica’s history. A long time ago, the Taino people, Jamaica’s first inhabitants, lived here. They were skilled farmers, craftsmen, and builders, and they left behind artifacts and structures that tell us how they lived before Europeans came to the island. The site covers a large area, about the size of four football fields, and is named after the Rio Nuevo River that runs nearby.
Today, the site is split into two parts because a road was built through it. The southern part, owned by a housing development, was damaged years ago when machines cleared the land for planting coconut trees. Unfortunately, this destroyed much of the history there. The northern part, owned by someone named George Rose, is in better shape, although another road built in the 1970s also caused some damage.
Researchers and archaeologists have found amazing things at the site, like tools and pottery the Taino used. There are even pieces of walls from a wharf that was built later during the colonial period, showing how the area changed over time. This site is a treasure trove of information about the Taino and the early days of Jamaica.
It’s important to protect the northern section of the site so we can learn more about Jamaica’s past. The Rio Nuevo Taino Site reminds us of the Taino’s incredible culture and the role they played in shaping Jamaica’s history.