1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910816535303321

Autore

Lightfoot Kent G. <1953->

Titolo

California Indians and their environment [[electronic resource] ] : an introduction / / Kent G. Lightfoot and Otis Parrish ; contributions by Lee M. Panich ... [et al.]

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Berkeley, : University of California Press, 2009

ISBN

1-280-99554-8

9786613767158

0-520-94228-0

Edizione

[1st ed.]

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (513 p.)

Collana

California natural history guide series ; ; no. 96

Altri autori (Persone)

ParrishOtis

PanichLee M

Disciplina

979.4/01

Soggetti

Indians of North America - California - Social life and customs

Indians of North America - Hunting - California

Hunting and gathering societies - California

Human ecology - California - History

Indigenous peoples - Ecology - California

California Environmental conditions History

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Description based upon print version of record.

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Nota di contenuto

Frontmatter -- Contents -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- VISUAL GUIDE TO NATURAL RESOURCES -- CALIFORNIA INDIAN USES OF NATURAL RESOURCES -- Notes -- General References -- Resource References by Region and Type -- Art Credits -- Index -- More Advance Praise

Sommario/riassunto

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.