Pearls & The American Indians // Temple of Tolomeco / Lucayan "slave" Pearl Divers

The video script begins with an introduction to a presentation that will discuss historical paintings of American Indians from the 16th and 17th centuries found in German buildings and the expertise of indigenous people in pearl diving since ancient times. It also mentions previous videos that showed these paintings and their locations, encouraging viewers to watch them for a deeper understanding. The script hints at a discussion about who was actually used for diving for pearls, suggesting it was the American indigenous people, not Africans as commonly believed.

This paragraph delves into the controversy surrounding the identity of Bermuda's first slaves, arguing that they were actually indigenous people from Venezuela brought to dive for pearls, contrary to popular belief that they were Africans. The script mentions a follow-up video to provide further proof and criticizes common narratives found through a Google search, which claim that the first slaves were brought in the 17th century. It emphasizes the need to challenge these narratives with historical evidence.

The script presents an excerpt from 'The Book of the Pearl' by George Frederick Kunz, detailing the history of pearl fishing in Venezuela. It explains how indigenous people collected pearls for ornamentation but did not value them highly. The text describes the exploitation of these resources following Columbus's discovery of America, the difficulties in securing divers due to ill-treatment, and the transportation of divers from the Lucayan or Bahama Islands to Venezuela to continue the pearl fishing industry. The paragraph emphasizes the indigenous people's expertise in pearl diving and their significant role in the industry.

The paragraph discusses how the pearl trade enriched the Spanish and contributed to the fame of America as a land of pearls in Europe. It mentions the Spanish destruction of the pearl coast in the early 16th century and the exploitation of the indigenous people's knowledge of pearl diving. The script also references the Temple of Tolomeko and the indigenous people's reverence for their temples, contrasting with the Spanish's greed for gold.

This paragraph focuses on the Temple of Tolomeko, describing its grandeur and the abundance of pearls used in its construction and decoration. It recounts the Spanish's astonishment at the temple's wealth in pearls, which they considered taking but ultimately left behind due to the impracticality of carrying such a heavy load. The description highlights the cultural significance of the temple and the indigenous people's connection to pearls.

The script touches on the global impact of the pearl trade, mentioning the Temple and Magazine of Talomeko, which was admired as a wonder of the New World. It discusses the Spanish's search for gold and their disappointment when they found brass and copper instead, leading them to value the abundance of pearls they discovered. The paragraph also describes the Temple of Tolomeko's role as a cemetery for ancestors and its lavish adornment with pearls.

This paragraph narrates the Spanish's encounter with the temples of pearls in Florida, their initial excitement, and the subsequent realization that the pearls might not be as valuable as they initially thought. It describes the temples' interiors adorned with pearls and the Spanish's decision not to burden themselves with the pearls, fearing the natives' hostility. The script also references the book 'America Being the Latest and Most Accurate Description of the New World' and its depiction of indigenous people.

The script follows the Spanish's journey through America in search of pearls, gold, and silver. It describes their encounters with indigenous people, the challenges they faced, including ambushes and harsh weather, and their eventual discovery of pearls in the tombs of indigenous princesses. The paragraph also discusses the Spanish's division of their forces and their experiences with the local population, who were adorned with feathers and fur cloaks.

The final paragraph summarizes the video's main argument: that the historical narrative of slavery and pearl diving has been misconstrued, with indigenous people being the true experts and labor force behind these industries. It challenges the notion that the first slaves were Africans, suggesting instead that they were indigenous people from the Bahamas and Venezuela, such as the Lucayans. The script calls for a reevaluation of history to reveal the truth about the exploitation of indigenous people and the origins of the labor force used in the pearl and gold trades.

The script concludes with a musical note and a call to action for viewers to subscribe, like, share, and spread the word about the historical revelations discussed in the video. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the true history of slavery and pearl diving, urging viewers to question commonly held beliefs and to seek the truth.