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Jamaica Prior to 1494.
Prior to the arrival of Columbus, the islands of the West Indies were inhabited by two distinct races of Indians. The most warlike of these, the Caribbs, did not inhabit Jamaica, which was populated by the more peaceful Arawak tribe. Archeological records indicate that the Arawaks came to Jamaica about 650 CE, and displaced the earlier settlers of Jamaica, the Tainos. The Arawaks settled into small communities, and subsisted on fishing, hunting, and the cultivation of cassava root, and with Columbus" first landing in 1494, is estimated that 60-100,000 Arawaks lived in hundreds of small, scattered villages. .
The Spanish Occupation (1494-1655).
During his second voyage to the Americas, Christopher Columbus learned from the natives of Cuba of an island lying to the south rich with gold. Columbus sailed on Saturday, May 3rd, 1494 and landed the next day in northern Jamaica at what is today St. Ann's Bay. Columbus spent the next week exploring various bays and coves and making contact with the Arawaks whom he described as appearing "less peaceful" then the inhabitants of Cuba. Only after a demonstration of Spanish military prowess did the Arawaks reappear in a more peaceful demeanor, and Columbus departed on the 18th of May believing a friendly relationship had been established. His return in July reinforced this sentiment as Columbus exhaustively surveyed the coast of Jamaica for nearly a month, and then departed for Spain on August 19th. .
As far as can be determined, the island was left unexplored until Columbus returned during his fourth voyage in June of 1503. Columbus was forced to beach his badly damaged ships, and remained a virtual castaway for the next year, while staving off disease and several mutinies. Columbus" rescue on June 28th, 1504 withdrew the Spanish presence entirely, and it would be five more years before the Spaniards would return .
