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

PS-23
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:
PS-23
Date:
100 CE - 700 CE
Biological Sex:
Female
mtDNA:
D1t
Y-DNA:
Not applicable
Cultural Period:
Chumash Culture, California, USA
Location
Country:
USA
Locality:
Point Sal. CA
Coordinates:
34.9014, -120.6481
Map Location
Historical Timeline
Description

The Chumash culture, indigenous to the central and southern coastal regions of California, reflects a rich tapestry of history, spirituality, language, and resourcefulness. The Chumash people have lived along the coast and in the adjacent inland areas for thousands of years, developing a complex society that has continually adapted to its environment.

Geography and Settlement

The traditional territory of the Chumash stretches from Malibu in the south to Paso Robles in the north, including the northern Channel Islands. The landscapes they inhabited were diverse, ranging from coastal beaches and estuaries to inland valleys and mountain ranges. This geographical diversity contributed to a rich array of resources that sustained the Chumash people.

The Chumash settlements were often located near sources of fresh water, such as rivers and springs. They lived in well-constructed dome-shaped houses known as ‘aps, made from willow branches, tule, and other local materials. The social organization was based on village communities, each led by a hereditary chief.

Economy and Subsistence

The Chumash were skillful hunters, gatherers, and fishermen, utilizing the abundant natural resources. They harvested seafood, particularly shellfish, fish, and marine mammals, thanks to their proximity to the coast and expertise in building plank canoes called \tomols." These canoes allowed them to navigate the coastal waters and even travel to the Channel Islands.

Plant resources also played a crucial role in their diet and material culture. They gathered seeds, acorns, and wild fruits, employing advanced techniques for processing and storage. Acorn mush, made from the plentiful oak trees, was a staple food.

Craftsmanship and Trade

Chumash artisans were highly skilled in basket weaving, stone carving, and bead making. Their baskets were renowned for their beauty and utility, crafted from materials like juncus and sumac. The Chumash were also known for creating shell bead currency, which facilitated trade across large distances.

Their trade networks extended far beyond their territory, reaching other Native American groups in California and beyond. They traded items like shell beads, soapstone, and obsidian, exchanging these goods with inland tribes for resources like pigments and animal hides.

Social Structure and Governance

Chumash society was hierarchically organized, with each village governed by a chief, or "wot," who inherited their position through family lineage. The chief had significant influence over the economic, spiritual, and political aspects of village life, maintaining order and implementing decisions with the counsel of elite advisors and shamans.

Spirituality and Cosmology

The Chumash had a rich spiritual life, characterized by a deep connection to the natural world and a belief in a complex pantheon of deities and spirits. Rituals and ceremonies were integral to Chumash culture, including those that marked seasonal changes, successful hunts, or critical life events.

Their cosmology was illustrated through myths, songs, and dances, often performed during ceremonial gatherings. The Chumash held sacred venues in high regard, such as caves and rock shelters, where they created intricate rock art to depict spiritual beliefs and significant cultural stories.

Language

The Chumash language family encompasses several dialects, historically spoken across various regions of Chumash territory. Although many of these languages faced decline due to European colonization and assimilation policies, there are ongoing revitalization efforts to preserve and teach the Chumash languages to future generations.

Impact of European Contact

The arrival of Spanish explorers and missionaries during the 18th century profoundly impacted the Chumash way of life. The establishment of missions along the California coast imposed new socio-political structures, leading to the disruption of traditional Chumash society and culture.

Despite these challenges, the Chumash people have demonstrated resilience. Modern-day Chumash communities actively work to reclaim their cultural heritage, maintain traditional practices, and advocate for their rights and resources.

Contemporary Chumash Culture

Today, the Chumash are involved in cultural renewal efforts, promoting education in traditional practices, language revitalization, and environmental stewardship. Tribes such as the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians are recognized federally and actively engage in cultural and economic initiatives that support the welfare of their community and preserve their cultural heritage for future generations.

In summary, the Chumash culture is a testament to effective adaptation, resilience, and creativity. Their historical and contemporary contributions continue to enrich the cultural mosaic of California and offer valuable insights into sustainable living and community strength."

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
PS-06 Chumash Culture, California, USA 417 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
PS-07 Chumash Culture, California, USA 422 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
PS-03 Chumash Culture, California, USA 416 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
PS-18 Chumash Culture, California, USA 100 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
PS-26 Chumash Culture, California, USA 100 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
PS-17 Chumash Culture, California, USA 100 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
PS-02 Chumash Culture, California, USA 100 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
PS-23 Chumash Culture, California, USA 100 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
PS-09 Chumash Culture, California, USA 100 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
PS-04 Chumash Culture, California, USA 100 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
PS-34 Chumash Culture, California, USA 100 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
Ancient Genetic Admixture

Ancient genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (PS-23) 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 72%
Ancient Asians 14%
Western Steppe Pastoralists 9%
Ancient Africans 3%
Neolithic Farmers 3%
Modern Genetic Admixture

Modern genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (PS-23) 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 89%
America 89%
Native American 88.9%
Asia 11%
Chinese & Southeast Asian 11%
Chinese 11.2%
G25 Coordinates

The G25 coordinates for the sample PS-23 are as follows. You can analyze its admixture using G25 Studio.

PS-23,0.05762324,-0.30500914,0.10407518,0.09010098,-0.1103197,-0.0109984,-0.28218128,-0.33253778,-0.01657804,-0.01657416,-0.00017004,-0.0006192,-0.00193698,0.02394998,-0.0053449,-0.00184566,0.00623812,0.00282482,0.00084936,-0.00062544,0.0004759,0.00660662,-0.0019334,-0.00528442,-0.00563252
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:
View Publication
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