| Description |
xiv, 493 p. : ill. (chiefly col.), col. maps ; 19 cm. |
| Series |
California natural history guides ; no. 96 |
|
California natural history guides ; 96.
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| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references (p. 391-449) and index. |
| Summary |
Capturing the vitality of California's unique indigenous cultures, this major new introduction incorporates the extensive research of the past thirty years into an illuminating, comprehensive synthesis for a wide audience. Based in part on new archaeological findings, it tells how the California Indians lived in vibrant polities, each boasting a rich village life including chiefs, religious specialists, master craftspeople, dances, feasts, and ceremonies. Throughout, the book emphasizes how these diverse communities interacted with the state's varied landscape, enhancing its already bountiful natural resources through various practices centered around prescribed burning. A handy reference section, illustrated with more than one hundred color photographs, describes the plants, animals, and minerals the California Indians used for food, basketry and cordage, medicine, and more. At a time when we are grappling with the problems of maintaining habitat diversity and sustainable economies, we find that these native peoples and their traditions have much to teach us about the future, as well as the past, of California. |
| Contents |
Preface -- Acknowledgments -- Rethinking California Indians -- Why California Indians matter -- The central role of fire -- Waves of migration -- A landscape of unparalleled diversity -- The uniqueness of California -- The first fire managers -- They are not farmers -- Where we go from here -- Visual guide to natural resources -- California Indian uses of natural resources / with contributions by Lee M. Panich, D. Schneider, and K. Elizabeth Soluri -- Northwest Coast Province -- Central Coast Province -- South Coast Province -- Northeast Province -- Great Central Valley and Sierra Nevada Province -- Southern Deserts Province -- Notes -- General references -- Resource references by region and type -- Art credits -- Index. |
| Subject |
Indians of North America -- California -- Social life and customs.
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Indians of North America -- Hunting -- California.
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Hunting and gathering societies -- California.
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Human ecology -- California -- History.
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Ethnoecology -- California.
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California -- Environmental conditions -- History.
|
| Added Author |
Parrish, Otis.
|
| ISBN |
9780520244719 (cloth : alk. paper) |
|
0520244710 (cloth : alk. paper) |
|
9780520256903 (pbk. : alk. paper) |
|
0520256905 (pbk. : alk. paper) |
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