As similar archaic sites dating back centuries have been found around the Caribbean, archaeologists consider the Guanahatabey to be late survivors of a much earlier culture that existed throughout the islands before the rise of the agricultural Taíno. Similar cultures existed in southern Florida at roughly the same time, though this could simply have been an independent adaptation to a similar environment. Genetic studies of ancient Archaic Age related individuals across Cuba have shown affinities to both South- and North America. It is possible the Guanahatabey were related to the Taíno, however, as there is evidence of a genetic mixture in Haiti.