Environment: The Natural Setting

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo1

Here, Tim Thomas collects specimens for identification. Despite a sometimes arid environment, Tim found that the landscape surrounding Kamupau was abundant in natural resources known to have been used by the prehistoric people of California.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo2

Oak trees were vitally important to the prehistoric people of California. The practice of harvesting acorns from these oaks has been called "proto-agriculture" by some researchers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo4

"Grassland was likely never a dominant component of the immediate prehistoric landscape. The introduction of European land use habits caused wholesale conversion of the structure and nature of the landscape. The native grasses that occur in the region were probably never a component of a grassland habitat - that is, large expanses of grasses and no woody vegetation."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo3

On site, an impressive cottonwood gracefully leans over an elderberry ("Sambucus mexicana - elderberry - wood used for bows, fire drills, tools, hollowed stem flutes, clappe sticks; berries dried in quantities for food, fresh berries as basket dye").

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo5

Commonly called "coyote ear" because the shape of the leaves resemble the pointed ears of coyote, this plant produces gourds during some seasons which were used for a variety of purposes. These gourds are called "coyote melons".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo6

Flowering next to the cattle trail, this plant was later trampled into oblivion by the cattle that pass by to rub themselves on the side of boulder cave. It is a little ironic that Jimson Weed typically thrives in disturbed ground, which of course, can be a dangerous place once it begins to grow. The cattle are now prevented from coming on site.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo7

"SOLANACEAE - Nightshade Family Datura wrightii - toloache - extremely poisonous, small amounts consumed for rituals and vision quests."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo8

Wild cucumbers growing on the vine which is intertwined with the branches of this tree.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo9

Here, Dan Reeves holds one of the large wild cucumber pods.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo10

Here, Dan Reeves holds some of the large wild cucumber seeds.