Papers by Francisco Gonzalez
The influence of Africa is a very important component of the culture and ethnicity of the peoples... more The influence of Africa is a very important component of the culture and ethnicity of the peoples of the Caribbean islands. Growing up in Puerto Rico I was aware only of the obvious but superficial aspects of these traits, like the color of my skin and physical appearance of most of the people, and beat of our salsa and bomba music. However, when I was 15 years old an extraordinary experience allowed me to finally understand and respect the traditions of our African ancestors handed down for generations.
The issue of what was traded, and how, between the Taino and neighboring peoples is a fascinating... more The issue of what was traded, and how, between the Taino and neighboring peoples is a fascinating topic, because the goods exchanged and the mechanisms of trade can tell us so much about the culture and their society of the all the participants in this process. I will be the first to admit to my limited knowledge of the Taino and their likely trade partners. However, I have examined the evidence at hand and research both what did the Taino IMPORTED and what did they EXPORTED to their neighbors. Taino IMPORTS: One of the facts that had baffled scientists trying to find proof of Taino-Mesoamerican contact is the absolute absence in the Taino islands of typical artifacts commonly found across Mesoamerican archaeological sites. The Maya, for example, exchanged fine painted ceramics, obsidian blades, cotton and feather-embroidered textiles, jade and even some metal jewelry, salt and foodstuffs. See link below: Northern Yucatán Obsidian Finds-Mérida and Chichén Itzá (on seaborne coastal obsidian stone trade between Guatemala and Yucatan) Logically the organic materials such as textiles would not survive in the tropical weather, but this does not explain why not a single ceramic bowl of Mesoamerican origin has never been found in the Taino lands. I think a partial response to this is that the Taino may simply had no need or desire for Maya/Mesoamerican ceramics. The Taino, as well all know, were master ceramists themselves, and perhaps they were not attracted to Maya pottery. Similarly, there is evidence that other people that did trade with the Maya and other Mesoamericans were very particular about
Explores the Cold War-era political and military factors considered by US and Puerto Rican leader... more Explores the Cold War-era political and military factors considered by US and Puerto Rican leaders when crafting the model of self-government known as Estado Libre Asociado or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico ha sido llamada la colonia mas antigua del mundo. Después de 500 años de gobierno co... more Puerto Rico ha sido llamada la colonia mas antigua del mundo. Después de 500 años de gobierno colonial, primero español y luego estadounidense, la isla entra al nuevo milenio todavía buscando como definir su identidad política y nacional, en un entorno caracterizado por la falta de consenso interno, y sin la metrópolis sentir necesidad o interés en lograr una resolución final al problema del estatus. La confluencia de una serie de eventos y transformaciones en el ámbito internacional, al igual que en Puerto Rico, abren la posibilidad para una fórmula alternativa para lograr la descolonización de Puerto Rico: la opción española, o la reincorporación de la isla al Reino de España como Comunidad Autónoma.
Article on warfare, tactics, weaponry of the Taino and Carib Indians of the Caribbean.
First pu... more Article on warfare, tactics, weaponry of the Taino and Carib Indians of the Caribbean.
First published in the newsletter of the Institute of Maya Studies, Vol. 37, Issue 9 (September 2008)
For more information:
http://www.mayastudies.org
Talks by Francisco Gonzalez
On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Minnesota Maya Society, I am pleased to invite you to ... more On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Minnesota Maya Society, I am pleased to invite you to a lecture by Dr. María Nieves-Colón (In person and online participation options available)
Maria is conducting cutting-edge DNA research to understand the migration of the Indigenous pre-colonial populations in the Caribbean Basin. This work includes the relationship of the ancient Taíno communities with the current islanders, specifically Puerto Rico (María is originally from Bayamón, P.R.)
for more information, see attached and or the link below:
https://mayasocietyofmn.org/events/events-calendar/#id=115&cid=1796&wid=1001
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Papers by Francisco Gonzalez
First published in the newsletter of the Institute of Maya Studies, Vol. 37, Issue 9 (September 2008)
For more information:
http://www.mayastudies.org
Talks by Francisco Gonzalez
Maria is conducting cutting-edge DNA research to understand the migration of the Indigenous pre-colonial populations in the Caribbean Basin. This work includes the relationship of the ancient Taíno communities with the current islanders, specifically Puerto Rico (María is originally from Bayamón, P.R.)
for more information, see attached and or the link below:
https://mayasocietyofmn.org/events/events-calendar/#id=115&cid=1796&wid=1001
First published in the newsletter of the Institute of Maya Studies, Vol. 37, Issue 9 (September 2008)
For more information:
http://www.mayastudies.org
Maria is conducting cutting-edge DNA research to understand the migration of the Indigenous pre-colonial populations in the Caribbean Basin. This work includes the relationship of the ancient Taíno communities with the current islanders, specifically Puerto Rico (María is originally from Bayamón, P.R.)
for more information, see attached and or the link below:
https://mayasocietyofmn.org/events/events-calendar/#id=115&cid=1796&wid=1001