Native American prehistory—California
Native American prehistory in California showcases the rich cultural and environmental diversity of the region's indigenous societies, primarily characterized by hunting and gathering practices. Archaeological evidence indicates that Paleo-Indian cultures may have existed in California as early as 50,000 B.C.E., with confirmed presence by 8000 B.C.E. through the discovery of Clovis points—tools used for big-game hunting—across numerous archaeological sites such as Borax Lake and Tulare Lake. These sites have yielded a variety of artifacts, including tools for cutting, scraping, and engraving, as well as evidence of large mammals like mammoths and bison, indicating a complex and adaptive relationship with the environment.
The communities of prehistoric California were not monolithic; they have been categorized into four cultural provinces reflecting the state's diverse ecological zones: Northwest Pacific, Central-trans-Sierran, Southern Coastal, and Southern Desert. Estimates suggest that the population at this time ranged from 300,000 to 350,000 individuals, comprising nearly five hundred distinct communities and ethnic groups. Cemeteries found in areas like the Sacramento Valley highlight the sedentary nature and long-term settlements of these societies, underscoring a sophisticated social structure. Overall, California's Native American prehistory offers valuable insights into the lifeways and cultures that shaped the region long before European contact.
Native American prehistory—California
Date: c. 8000 b.c.e.-c. 1600 c.e.
Location: California and northernmost Baja California
Cultures affected: Achumawi, Atsugewi, Cahuilla, Chemehuevi, Chumash, Costanoan, Cupeño, Diegueño, Esselen, Fernandeño, Gabrielino, Hupa, Juaneño, Kamia, Karok, Luiseño, Maidu, Mattole, Miwok, Patwin, Pomo, Quechan, Salinan, Serrano, Shasta, Tolowa, Tubatulabal, Wailaki, Wappo, Wintun, Wiyot, Yahi, Yokuts, Yuki, Yurok
The prehistory and ethnology of California’s Indian societies significantly contribute to understanding the hunting and gathering cultures in rich and varied environments. Although archaeological findings that are conjectural (and controversial) have placed Paleo-Indian cultures in California as early as 50,000 b.c.e., hard evidence confirms their existence there by 8000 b.c.e. Such evidence consists of Clovis points—fluted stone projectile points used in big-game hunting—discovered throughout present-day California in at least eleven archaeological sites, among them Borax Lake, Lake Mojave, Tulare Lake, China Lake, Pinto Basin, Tiefort Basin, and Ebbetts Pass. In addition to the Clovis points of the Clovis culture, other artifacts have been found at many of these digs, including hammer stones; cutting, scraping, chopping, and engraving tools; other projectile points; awls; charms; shell beads; and atlatl (throwing) hooks. At sites in central and Northern California, such artifacts have been located amid the remains of mammoths, giant bison, camels, horses, deer, elk, seal, small land animals, fish, and birds. Cemeteries with human remains in the Sacramento Valley attest the sedentary occupations and lengthy settlements that characterized a number of diverse and complex prehistory communities. Overall, these California communities have been grouped by archaeologists and ethnographers into four broad cultural provinces that roughly coincide with California’s major environmental features: Northwest Pacific, Central-trans-Sierran, Southern Coastal, and Southern Desert. Archaeologists estimate the population of prehistoric California at between 300,000 and 350,000 people, comprising nearly five hundred distinct communities and ethnic groups.
