Handmade ceramics have also been found in a variety of contexts in the Caribbean region, where they are normally referred to as Afro-Caribbean ceramics (Heath, 1999). There is, however, a lack of consensus over this term, given the wide diversity in Caribbean contexts, which produces marked differences in the technological features present (Hauser and DeCorse, 2003, p. 71). The theory of West and Central African heritage present in this technological tradition is supported by both documentary and archaeological evidence. In such scenarios, marked by the influence of a massive African population, the traditions of African ceramic production were amalgamated and generalized, with further influences added from European and Native American traditions (Heath, 1999, pp. 198-199).  
One characteristic Afro-Caribbean ceramics share with colonoware is the scarcity of decorated pieces, accounting for no more than 5 per cent of the samples (Heath, 1999, p. 199; Meyers, 1999, p. 209). This scarcity contrasts with the frequent use of decoration in traditional African ceramic industries. According to Hill (1987, p. 137), this may be due to the different social and economic roles played by the ceramics. While in West Africa such items traditionally served as markers of ethnicity and status, in North America and the Caribbean region the contexts of production and use were highly controlled, leading to a homogenization of the ceramics in favour of simpler pieces, disassociated from the non-economic spheres.