Cayetano Coll y Toste
Prehistoria de Puerto-Rico
"Prehistoria de Puerto-Rico" by Cayetano Coll y Toste is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The book examines the geological and anthropological development of Puerto Rico, exploring its prehistoric inhabitants, their culture, and the island's natural history. It focuses on the evolution of the island's geography and the early civilizations that existed before European contact. At the start of the text, Coll y Toste sets the stage by describing the geological features of the Antilles and specifically Puerto Rico, detailing its position within the Caribbean and its geological composition. He references various theories about the formation of the island and its connections to the continent, including evidence from paleontology and sedimentology. The author emphasizes the richness of the island's geological history and its implications for understanding the pre-Columbian societies that once thrived there, setting a context for a deeper exploration of the indigenous cultures that inhabited Puerto Rico prior to European conquest.