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California's Chumash Indians: A project of the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Education Center

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71 pages as never used .... Best Offer as New is offered here at 100s and that is almost new

71 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Profile Image for Nikki.
358 reviews14 followers
August 31, 2016
As I mentioned in a previous review, it's difficult to find good scholarly sources specifically on the Chumash. This is not a sophisticated text, but it's also not as basic as many of the children's history books available. In other words, it's not a highly detailed account of Chumash history, but it does provide a good, simple overview of the general history of the Chumash.
Profile Image for Ian Martyn.
75 reviews
January 20, 2021
I feel as though this book is a strong introduction to the Chumash as a whole. Sure, the book is a bit dated, and that really points to the need for more research to be done into the Chumash as a group, but this book serves its purpose well. I get the idea that people reading this book really want something in-depth, but a book that is only 70 pages long that is sold at a museum for a few dollars is not meant to go into many details. I like that all of the information is easily accessible and that there is an extensive list of references at the back so you can really dive into topics that you want to study more. I also appreciate the frequent pictures and diagrams. If you're interested in the Chumash at all, this is a really great place to start.
Profile Image for Claire.
77 reviews2 followers
September 10, 2017
Compiled in 1988 by the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, this is a good collection of information to use as a reference or introduction into Santa Barbara history & Chumash studies. However, there are many questions left unanswered by the text, mainly about citations and how the assumptions stated in the text came to be regarded as fact. But while some things may be called into question, there are many citations from the historical and archaeological and ethnographic records that shed light on the Chumash ways of life pre-and mid- Mission Period in California. The information in this book is presented in an easily accessible way, with the sections being broken up so that they cover different aspects of the material, physical, and social cultures of the many Chumash villages that lived along the Santa Barbara Channel. I will continue to use this book as a reference as I move forward in my studies of Santa Barbara, California, and Indigenous histories.
Profile Image for NormaJean.
186 reviews
November 9, 2023
Lovely. I am part California Native and picked up this little book recently. Such a treasure. Small, concise yet covers essential ground, and includes a small Chumash glossary!

The two Indexes are superior in providing additional resources to dig deeper into our past.

Three thumbs up!
Profile Image for Caiden Walls.
60 reviews
March 7, 2025
Good Book! If you want a quick overview on the Chumash or a short read (It’s only 76 pages long), I would recommend this book!
Profile Image for Daniel Morgan.
732 reviews26 followers
February 11, 2025
Just like it says on the cover - this is a guide to the Chumash people of California, from ancient archaeology to the present. It uses oral accounts from Chumash people, historical writings from Europeans, archaeology, various chemical analyses, etc.

One note - "present" means 1986, so this might be a little dated. I enjoyed it, but you probably shouldn't use this as your only source for a research paper.
312 reviews
August 9, 2011
This book had the origin myth I was looking for to use in the classroom. This contained the material on the use of natural materials from the environment.
389 reviews
June 16, 2013
OK, but kind of skimpy. I was hoping for something with more depth. I started and finished this while waiting at the Doctor's office.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews

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