Most of them are part of a long, partially volcanic island arc between the Greater Antilles to the north-west and the continent of South America.

[2] The islands of the Lesser Antilles form the eastern boundary of the Caribbean Sea where it meets the Atlantic Ocean.

The Lesser and Greater Antilles, together with the Lucayan Archipelago, are collectively known as the Caribbean islands or West Indies.

[3] The earliest Archaic Age habitation is evidenced at sites like St. John and Banwari Trace in Trinidad, dating between 7700 and 6100 B.P.

[4] The archaeological record for the rest of the southern Lesser Antilles is sparse, with sites in Tobago, Barbados, and Martinique yielding potential Archaic Age artifacts.

Severe erosion, landslides, and volcanic eruptions are fairly common and may contribute to the preservation of archaeological sites.

Despite similarities, each site displayed differences in the consumption of marine species and variety of shell and coral tools.

[4] Archaeological findings, including Huecoid and Saladoid pottery, provide radiocarbon dates for Early Ceramic Age sites, pointing to an initial sphere of interaction between coastal South America and the northern Lesser Antilles that started around 400–200 BC.

The discovery of Saladoid pottery in Puerto Rico and the northern Lesser Antilles is understood as a result of exploratory activities, cultural exchanges, and gradual migrations from the mainland during the Archaic Age.

This process involved the interaction of local communities with established insular societies, creating a web of dynamic social relationships.

However, debates and controversies has occurred over conflicting stratigraphic data, radiocarbon dates, and stylistic difference of the potteries.

In 1493, on his second voyage, Columbus reached the coast of the Caribbean Sea, where he sailed to discover several islands of the Lesser Antilles archipelago.

Christopher Columbus landed on 15 June 1502 after 21 days of crossing with trade winds, his fastest oceanic journey.

D'Esnambuc claimed Martinique for the French King Louis XIII and the "Compagnie des Îles de l'Amérique".

On July 18, 1995, the previously dormant Soufrière Hills volcano on the southern part of the island of Montserrat became active.

The trans-Atlantic currents and winds that provided the fastest route across the ocean brought these ships to the rough dividing line between the Windward and Leeward Islands.