Pre-Colonial Native Americans And Spanish Encounters

Title

Pre-Colonial Native Americans And Spanish Encounters

Description

The original occupants of the Santa Clara County were the Ohlone tribelet of the Tamyen Coastanoan-speaking tribe. They thrived within a spiritual life grounded in animism and a lifestyle that balanced population to resources. Acorns were a staple of their diet. Anthropologist Alfred Kroeber estimated that more than 75 percent of native Californians ate them on a daily basis. Tule bulrushes provided medicine, food, and fiber for housing, boats, clothing, and baskets.

At the time of Spanish settlement in the 1770s, the native California population was estimated to be approximately 300,000, or 13% of the native population of North America.

Additional Online Information

The First Peoples of California | Library of Congress

Native Americans: Pre-Columbian California to 18th Century — Calisphere

Early California Exploration and Settlement — Calisphere

Five Views: An Ethnic Historic Site Survey for California (American Indians)

Identifier

B4SV Exhibit Topic One: Slide 001