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Little
is known about pre-Columbian times, but it is widely accepted
that Exuma, like other Bahamian Islands, was settled by peaceful
Lucayan Indians who had migrated northward to escape conflict
with the more warlike Caribs. And while the name Exuma is
believed to have its origins in some Indian name, its precise
derivation has never been established.
The coming
of the Spanish, in the wake of Columbus's voyages, brought
the first convulsive change to Exuma and the islands of the
area. Virtually all the Lucayan Indians were captured, enslaved
and put to work in the fields and mines of Spanish-held territory
in Hispaniola arid Central and South America. The Bahama Islands
were then left empty and ignored unfit about 1648, when Englishmen
- calling themselves the Eleutheran Adventurers - settled
the northern part of the island now called Eleuthera. While
the British settlements expanded in subsequent years to include
New Providence and Harbour Island, most of the other Out Islands
remained virtually uninhabited until late in the 1700's. On
Exuma there was some salt raking activity near Ocean Bight
and at the three salt ponds in Little Exuma.
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