Which region is commonly cited as the Arawaks' origin?

Which region is commonly cited as the Arawaks' origin?

• A. Africa
• B. Europe
• C. Asia
• D. South America

Answer: (C)

The idea being tested is where the Arawaks originally came from, which helps explain how their groups spread into the Caribbean. Most scholars trace the Arawak homeland to northern South America, specifically the Amazon and Orinoco river basins. From this region, Arawakan-speaking peoples moved east and north into the Caribbean, leading to communities on many islands as well as in parts of the mainland. Because of this evidence, the region most commonly cited as their origin is South America. Asia isn’t supported by the main linguistic and archaeological data on Arawakan peoples, which show their roots in the Americas and a later migration into the Caribbean.

The idea being tested is where the Arawaks originally came from, which helps explain how their groups spread into the Caribbean. Most scholars trace the Arawak homeland to northern South America, specifically the Amazon and Orinoco river basins. From this region, Arawakan-speaking peoples moved east and north into the Caribbean, leading to communities on many islands as well as in parts of the mainland. Because of this evidence, the region most commonly cited as their origin is South America. Asia isn’t supported by the main linguistic and archaeological data on Arawakan peoples, which show their roots in the Americas and a later migration into the Caribbean.