In the Californian Central Valley area, between the Pacific coast and the Sierra Nevada, small migrating tribes discovered an ideal living environment. The mild climate and the abundant plant and animal life provided excellent conditions for a peaceful existence and high population density. Dozens of different languages and dialects characterized the many tribes. Prior to the destruction of their cultures and environments by Spanish missionaries and American gold-diggers, the first Californians lived from hunting and fishing, but mainly from gathering wild fruits. Among these, the most important were the acorns which were ground to flour after the bitterness had been removed in a special process. This process is illustrated in the exhibition by examples of the original equipment.

'Treasure basket' with lid
Chumash, acquired around 1830
Deppe Collection