As part of project SIBA, ten illustrations have been developed by artist Merald Clark to showcase the lifeways and material culture of the Lucayans – the indigenous people of The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands. These are based on the latest archaeological investigations in the region, and selected artefacts in museum collections, including:
- The National Museum of The Bahamas (AMMC)
- The Turks and Caicos National Museum (TCNM)
- The National Museum of Natural History (NMNH), Smithsonian
- The National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI), Smithsonian
- Peabody Museum of Natural History (PMNH)
The content is entirely focused on the archaeology and prehistory of The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands. The illustrations showcase distinctive elements of Lucayan material culture and lifeways as indicated by the archaeological and historical records, especially the ways in which materials and resources are used. These broadly focus on Lucayan social, political and economic systems through the prism of local industry and craft.
Using the Educational Images
The illustrations are intended to support a variety of educational purposes, specifically geared to topics covered in schools on The Arawaks (lifestyle, dress, food, home, government, occupation, trade/technology, etc.). They can aid in visualising and exploring the Lucayan way of life.
These images can be used in conjunction with the Teachers' Guide PDF: Lucayan Lifeways - Visualising Indigenous Heritage in the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands - A Guide for the Classroom, which can be downloaded by clicking the link to the right.
Click each image below to see each unit's artwork. Explore it to learn more by hovering over of clicking on parts of the image. You can learn more about different elements of Lucayan material culture and cultural practices by visiting the Glossary page.
