Anthropology
Our Chumash Life pages for teachers and students provide a basic introduction to some aspects of traditional daily life. Our anthropologists answer questions about cultural anthropology, the history of Native Californians, ethnobotany, Native art, traditional tools, and technology.
Main
- Anthropology
- Rocks & Fossils
- Invertebrates
- Vertebrates
- Botany
- Astronomy
- Fungi
- General
- Recently Asked
“On the north side of Santa Cruz Island I haves seen a couple small caves high up on ridgelines that appeared to have soot staining on the wall and roof. The caves are open to the sea to the north. Is...”
Don, boat in Channel Islands harbor - August 26, 2021
“Live in Oak View (Ventura County) near Ventura River. Dug up (within 12" from surface) this perfectly spherical shaped sandstone ball approx. 50' from house. Its diameter measures 2.825" and it weighs...”
Spencer, Oak View - May 31, 2021
“On the Natural History's Chumash page, I read the Chumash people were hunter-gathers. Did they hunt large animals like bears and mountain lions?”
Katelyn, Santa Barbara - May 22, 2021
“I am working in Santa Barbara and hike after work. Are there any public mortar sites or food processing sites? I have seen some in San roque, San Antonio creek parks. Are there more we can view? Aroun...”
Joshua, Santa Barbara - March 2, 2021
“I recall years ago hearing that there were people living in this area prior to the Chumash. The name I recall for these earlier people was "Oak Grove" people. However, a search of the web using that p...”
Wes Chapin, Somis, CA - February 16, 2021
“Dear museum scientists,
while camping on Paradise Rd near the Santa Ynez River in August, I found what appears to be a tool of some sort in the dry river bed. I am hoping to hear if it deserves fur...”
Bret Klopfenstein, Ventura, CA - January 16, 2021
“Hello SB Natural History Museum,
I think it's wonderful that you provide this ask-a-curator service, thank you. My question:
My daughter and I found a rock that looks a lot like the tip of a Chumas...”
Brent, Santa Barbara - August 29, 2020
“Hi,
I recently found this rock, which looks like a Chumash pestle or grinding stone, near a construction site at Hendry's beach. Do you think it is real? Is it something I should turn in to the museu...”
Melinda, Santa Barbara - August 28, 2020
“Is it known what the Chumash called the different species of whales active in the Santa Barbara Channel?
I am particularily interested in what they called the blue whales.”
Douglas Hall, 709 Toro Canyon Rd., SB 93108 - August 6, 2020
“Hola, ¿dónde puedo encontrar los archivos arqueológicos, geológicos y antropológicos del estudio de este yacimiento? ¿Los archivos están a disposición de todos y todas?”
Paula Núñez, Chile - August 6, 2020