A woman buried in USA in the Pre-Columbian North America era

CR-01
Portrait reconstruction
Disclaimer: The portrait shown is a speculative reconstruction and not the actual face of the ancient sample. It represents an artistic interpretation based on archaeological data.
Specimen Details
Sample ID:
CR-01
Date:
774 CE - 1022 CE
Biological Sex:
Female
mtDNA:
A2
Y-DNA:
Not applicable
Cultural Period:
Santa Cruz Island Chumash Culture, California, USA
Location
Country:
USA
Locality:
San Cruz Island. CA
Coordinates:
34.0036, -119.7264
Map Location
Historical Timeline
Description

The Santa Cruz Island Chumash represent an integral component of the broader Chumashan cultural and linguistic group, indigenous to the coastal and island regions of Southern California. The Chumash people, with a history reaching back thousands of years, developed sophisticated societies well-adapted to the diverse environments of the Channel Islands and the adjacent mainland.

Geography and Environment

Santa Cruz Island, one of the Channel Islands off the coast of California, is the largest island in the archipelago, spanning roughly 96 square miles. The island's diverse landscapes include rugged mountains, broad valleys, extensive coasts, and unique ecosystems that offered abundant resources. The temperate Mediterranean climate, characterized by wet winters and dry summers, provided a stable environment conducive to sustaining life.

Subsistence and Economy

The Chumash on Santa Cruz Island were expert maritime people. They constructed distinctive planked canoes known as tomols, which enabled them to navigate the channels between islands and the mainland. This facilitated not only fishing and hunting marine mammals like seals and sea otters but also trade with mainland communities.

Fishing was central to the Chumash diet, and they utilized nets, lines, and hooks, crafted from available materials, to catch species such as sardines, rockfish, and halibut. Additionally, they gathered shellfish like abalone and mussels, augmenting their diet with terrestrial mammals and plants, including acorns, seeds, and various fruits and roots. The abundance and variety of resources permitted the development of complex social structures.

Social and Political Organization

The Santa Cruz Island Chumash, like their mainland counterparts, were organized in a network of villages, typically led by a chief or wot. These leaders played significant roles in social, economic, and ceremonial life, overseeing the distribution of resources and resolving disputes. The society was stratified, with social classes often determined by lineage, wealth, and skill.

Trade was vital to the Chumash economy and facilitated by their navigational prowess. Shell beads, particularly the Olivella shell beads, were widely used as a form of currency, enabling the exchange of goods like obsidian, steatite, animal hides, and foodstuffs.

Art and Craftsmanship

The Chumash are known for their exceptional craftsmanship, which extended to basketry, pottery, and bead-making. The Chumash baskets, renowned for their intricate designs and fine craftsmanship, were made from a variety of local plant materials such as willow and juncus. These baskets served both practical uses and ceremonial purposes.

Their rock art, including the vibrant pictographs found in caves and on rock surfaces, provide insights into their spiritual and daily life, depicting anthropomorphic and zoomorphic figures that likely held symbolic meaning.

Language and Culture

The Chumash language, part of the Hokan linguistic family, comprised several regional dialects. While these languages are no longer widely spoken, efforts have been made to revitalize them. Chumash spiritual life was rich with mythology and ritual, revolving around a pantheon of deities and spirits. Ceremonies often included music, dance, and the use of steatite effigies and pipes.

Contact and Change

The arrival of Spanish explorers in the 16th century, followed by the establishment of missions in California during the late 18th century, dramatically altered the Chumash way of life. Spanish colonialism imposed new socio-economic structures, religion, and diseases, which, alongside missionization, devastated the indigenous populations, disrupting their traditional ways of living.

Despite these challenges, the Santa Cruz Island Chumash and their descendants continue to preserve and celebrate their rich cultural heritage, striving for cultural revitalization and recognition in contemporary society.

In conclusion, the Santa Cruz Island Chumash culture exemplifies a highly adaptable and innovative society, deeply connected to the maritime environment that shaped their economic and social structures for millennia.

Related Samples
Sample ID Culture/Period Date Location Action
SC-05 Late Santa Cruz Island, California, USA 775 CE San Clemente Island. CA, USA View
SN-44 Early San Nicolas Island, California, USA 3626 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
CR-01 Santa Cruz Island Chumash Culture, California, USA 774 CE San Cruz Island. CA, USA View
CT-01 Late Santa Cruz Island, California, USA 1440 CE San Catalina Island. CA, USA View
SM-02 San Miguel Island Chumash Culture, California, USA 1174 CE San Miguel Island. CA, USA View
SN-11 Late San Nicolas Island, California, USA 771 CE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
PS-06 Chumash Culture, California, USA 417 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
523a Athabaskan Culture, Alaska, USA 1800 CE Palm Site, USA View
SN-13 Late San Nicolas Island, California, USA 1040 CE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
I15690 Late San Nicolas Island, California, USA 420 CE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
NC Chumash Culture, New Cuyama, California, USA 571 CE New Cuyama. CA, USA View
SN-17 Early San Nicolas Island, California, USA 3369 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
Ala1 San Francisco Bay Area, California, USA 1400 CE Síi Túupentak (ALA-565/H). San Francisco Bay, USA View
SN-53 Late San Nicolas Island, California, USA 1165 CE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-10 Late San Nicolas Island, California, USA 3700 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-48 Early San Nicolas Island, California, USA 3650 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-03 Late San Nicolas Island, California, USA 239 CE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
PS-07 Chumash Culture, California, USA 422 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
SC-07 Late Santa Cruz Island, California, USA 700 CE San Clemente Island. CA, USA View
SC-01 Late Santa Cruz Island, California, USA 700 CE San Clemente Island. CA, USA View
SC-04 Late Santa Cruz Island, California, USA 1039 CE San Clemente Island. CA, USA View
SN-52 Late San Nicolas Island, California, USA 990 CE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-15 Late San Nicolas Island, California, USA 78 CE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-51 Late San Nicolas Island, California, USA 410 CE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
US-14 Colonial Period Pennsylvania, USA 1521 CE Shohola Creek. Indian Cabin Ridge. PA, USA View
SN-54 Early San Nicolas Island, California, USA 2835 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-39 Early San Nicolas Island, California, USA 3650 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SC-06 Late Santa Cruz Island, California, USA 700 CE San Clemente Island. CA, USA View
SN-16 Late San Nicolas Island, California, USA 3700 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SM-01 San Miguel Island Chumash Culture, California, USA 1286 CE San Miguel Island. CA, USA View
SN-32 Early San Nicolas Island, California, USA 3341 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
PS-03 Chumash Culture, California, USA 416 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
SN-01 Late San Nicolas Island, California, USA 3700 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
PS-18 Chumash Culture, California, USA 100 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
SN-38 Late San Nicolas Island, California, USA 3700 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-58 Early San Nicolas Island, California, USA 3650 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-59 Early San Nicolas Island, California, USA 3328 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
PS-26 Chumash Culture, California, USA 100 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
SN-25 Early San Nicolas Island, California, USA 2570 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SC-03 Late Santa Cruz Island, California, USA 890 CE San Clemente Island. CA, USA View
SN-20 Early San Nicolas Island, California, USA 3650 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
PS-17 Chumash Culture, California, USA 100 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
SN-09 Late San Nicolas Island, California, USA 3700 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-04 Early San Nicolas Island, California, USA 3081 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
PS-02 Chumash Culture, California, USA 100 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
SN-12 Late San Nicolas Island, California, USA 663 CE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-43 Late San Nicolas Island, California, USA 795 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
PS-23 Chumash Culture, California, USA 100 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
CT-02 Late Santa Cruz Island, California, USA 1400 CE San Catalina Island. CA, USA View
SN-57 Early San Nicolas Island, California, USA 3650 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-37 Early San Nicolas Island, California, USA 3650 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
PS-09 Chumash Culture, California, USA 100 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
SN-56 Early San Nicolas Island, California, USA 3650 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-55 Early San Nicolas Island, California, USA 3650 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-31 Early San Nicolas Island, California, USA 3650 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-60 Early San Nicolas Island, California, USA 2835 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-41 Early San Nicolas Island, California, USA 3650 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
PS-04 Chumash Culture, California, USA 100 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
SN-45 Early San Nicolas Island, California, USA 3650 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SC-02 Late Santa Cruz Island, California, USA 700 CE San Clemente Island. CA, USA View
PS-34 Chumash Culture, California, USA 100 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
CH-01 Mainland Chumash Culture, California, USA 416 CE California. Carpenteria, USA View
B-03 Pericues Culture, Mexico 3000 BCE LC-218. Baja, Mexico View
MX-01 Baja California, Mexico 3000 BCE Iron Springs. Baja, Mexico View
B-04 Baja California, Mexico 3000 BCE Comondu. Baja, Mexico View
CK-13 Arctic Small Tool Tradition, Canada 2914 BCE Lucier. Southwestern Ontario, Canada View
CK-09 Arctic Small Tool Tradition, Canada 1458 CE Lucier. Southwestern Ontario, Canada View
LU-06 Arctic Small Tool Tradition, Canada 1200 CE Lucier. Southwestern Ontario, Canada View
CK-10 Arctic Small Tool Tradition, Canada 1200 CE Lucier. Southwestern Ontario, Canada View
LU-03 Arctic Small Tool Tradition, Canada 1200 CE Lucier. Southwestern Ontario, Canada View
LU-02 Arctic Small Tool Tradition, Canada 1200 CE Lucier. Southwestern Ontario, Canada View
LU-05 Arctic Small Tool Tradition, Canada 1200 CE Lucier. Southwestern Ontario, Canada View
LU-01 Arctic Small Tool Tradition, Canada 1200 CE Lucier. Southwestern Ontario, Canada View
CK-03 Arctic Small Tool Tradition, Canada 1223 CE Lucier. Southwestern Ontario, Canada View
SN-39 3650 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
I15690 420 CE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
523a 1800 CE Palm Site, USA View
Ala1 1400 CE Síi Túupentak (ALA-565/H). San Francisco Bay, USA View
B-03 3000 BCE LC-218. Baja, Mexico View
B-04 3000 BCE Comondu. Baja, Mexico View
CH-01 416 CE California. Carpenteria, USA View
CK-03 1223 CE Lucier. Southwestern Ontario, Canada View
CK-09 1458 CE Lucier. Southwestern Ontario, Canada View
CK-10 1200 CE Lucier. Southwestern Ontario, Canada View
CK-13 2914 BCE Lucier. Southwestern Ontario, Canada View
CR-01 774 CE San Cruz Island. CA, USA View
CT-01 1440 CE San Catalina Island. CA, USA View
CT-02 1400 CE San Catalina Island. CA, USA View
LU-01 1200 CE Lucier. Southwestern Ontario, Canada View
LU-02 1200 CE Lucier. Southwestern Ontario, Canada View
LU-03 1200 CE Lucier. Southwestern Ontario, Canada View
LU-05 1200 CE Lucier. Southwestern Ontario, Canada View
LU-06 1200 CE Lucier. Southwestern Ontario, Canada View
MX-01 3000 BCE Iron Springs. Baja, Mexico View
NC 571 CE New Cuyama. CA, USA View
PS-02 100 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
PS-03 416 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
PS-04 100 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
PS-06 417 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
PS-07 422 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
PS-09 100 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
PS-17 100 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
PS-18 100 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
PS-23 100 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
PS-26 100 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
PS-34 100 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
SC-01 700 CE San Clemente Island. CA, USA View
SC-02 700 CE San Clemente Island. CA, USA View
SC-03 890 CE San Clemente Island. CA, USA View
SC-04 1039 CE San Clemente Island. CA, USA View
SC-05 775 CE San Clemente Island. CA, USA View
SC-06 700 CE San Clemente Island. CA, USA View
SC-07 700 CE San Clemente Island. CA, USA View
SM-01 1286 CE San Miguel Island. CA, USA View
SM-02 1174 CE San Miguel Island. CA, USA View
SN-01 3700 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-03 239 CE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-04 3081 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-09 3700 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-10 3700 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-11 771 CE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-12 663 CE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-13 1040 CE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-15 78 CE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-16 3700 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-17 3369 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-20 3650 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-25 2570 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-31 3650 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-32 3341 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-37 3650 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-38 3700 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-41 3650 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-43 795 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-44 3626 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-45 3650 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-48 3650 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-51 410 CE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-52 990 CE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-53 1165 CE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-54 2835 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-55 3650 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-56 3650 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-57 3650 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-58 3650 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-59 3328 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-60 2835 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
US-14 1521 CE Shohola Creek. Indian Cabin Ridge. PA, USA View
SN-50 San Nicolas Island Native American 420 CE San Nicolas Island (California), USA View
Sample ID Culture/Period Date Location Action
CR-01 Santa Cruz Island Chumash Culture, California, USA 774 CE San Cruz Island. CA, USA View
Ancient Genetic Admixture

Ancient genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (CR-01) with present-day reference populations. These results show what percentage of the individual's genetic makeup resembles ancient populations from different geographic regions.

Ancient Native Americans 75%
Ancient Asians 22%
Western Steppe Pastoralists 3%
Modern Genetic Admixture

Modern genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (CR-01) with present-day reference populations. These results show what percentage of the individual's genetic makeup resembles modern populations from different geographic regions.

These results complement the ancient ancestry components shown in the previous section, offering a different perspective on the individual's genetic profile by comparing it with modern reference populations rather than prehistoric ancestral groups.

America 88%
America 88%
Native American 87.8%
Asia 12%
Northern Asian 7%
Siberian 7.5%
Central Asian, Northern Indian & Pakistani 2%
Central Asian 1.6%
Chinese & Southeast Asian 1%
Chinese 1.4%
Japanese & Korean 1%
Japanese 1.2%
Africa 0%
Congolese & Southern East African 0%
Europe 0%
Northwestern European 0%
G25 Coordinates

The G25 coordinates for the sample CR-01 are as follows. You can analyze its admixture using G25 Studio.

CR-01,0.05750792,-0.30838554,0.10981212,0.09622032,-0.11038976,-0.01090154,-0.28578282,-0.33687004,-0.01406968,-0.01689112,0.00220662,-0.0006583,-0.00017452,0.02156526,-0.00674292,0.0011926,0.00582572,0.00440596,0.00168342,-0.00185568,-0.00201622,0.00793476,-0.00221422,-0.00329642,-0.0040633
Analyze it in G25 Studio
Scientific Papers References
Ancient human parallel lineages within North America contributed to a coastal expansion
Authors:
Scheib CL, Li H, Desai T
Abstract:

Little is known regarding the first people to enter the Americas and their genetic legacy. Genomic analysis of the oldest human remains from the Americas showed a direct relationship between a Clovis-related ancestral population and all modern Central and South Americans as well as a deep split separating them from North Americans in Canada. We present 91 ancient human genomes from California and Southwestern Ontario and demonstrate the existence of two distinct ancestries in North America, which possibly split south of the ice sheets. A contribution from both of these ancestral populations is found in all modern Central and South Americans. The proportions of these two ancestries in ancient and modern populations are consistent with a coastal dispersal and multiple admixture events.

Link:
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