A woman buried in USA in the Native American era

SN-50

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:

SN-50

Date:

420 CE - 544 CE

Biological Sex:

Female

mtDNA:

C1b41a1

Y-DNA:

Not applicable

Cultural Period:

San Nicolas Island Native American

Location

Country:

USA

Locality:

San Nicolas Island (California)

Coordinates:

33.2643, -119.5390

Map Location

Historical Timeline

Description

San Nicolas Island, part of California’s Channel Islands, is associated with the Native American group commonly referred to as the Nicoleño, though they are often considered to be culturally related to the broader Chumash people who inhabited the Southern California coast and Northern Channel Islands. The cultural and historical landscape of the Native Americans of San Nicolas Island is both unique and enigmatic due to limited direct historical records, yet it is rich with implications about adaptation, sea-based living, and interactions with both the environment and other Native groups.

Geography and Environment

San Nicolas Island is approximately 61 square miles in area and is located about 65 miles offshore from Ventura County, California. The island is characterized by a rugged coastline, windswept plateaus, and interspersed canyons. Its environment includes marine ecosystems, with abundant fish and shellfish, as well as terrestrial resources, albeit sparse. The climate of the island is semi-arid, marked by mild winters and cool, windy summers, which has significant implications for the types of resources available and the cultural adaptations developed by its inhabitants.

Culture and Society

Subsistence and Economy

The Native Americans of San Nicolas Island had a subsistence economy deeply rooted in marine resources. Fishing was a primary activity; various tools such as bone hooks, nets, and harpoons have been found at archaeological sites. Sea mammals, birds, and a variety of shellfish formed a substantial part of their diet. Notably, San Nicolas Islanders engaged in intricate shellfish harvesting practices, weaving basket traps for capturing various marine creatures.

Terrestrial resources, while less dominant, included native plants such as wild cherry, cacti, and various seeds, which were processed into food. The limited fresh water supply likely influenced their settlement patterns and resource management strategies.

Craftsmanship and Technology

The Nicoleño were adept artisans. They crafted tools and objects from available natural resources. Bone and shell were commonly used to make fishhooks, beads, and ornaments. Intricate basketry, made from plant fibers, represents the islanders' skilled craftsmanship, which was both functional and artistically significant.

Their technological prowess is also evident in plank canoe construction (tomol), a hallmark of coastal Chumash innovation, though tangible evidence directly linking such maritime technology specifically to San Nicolas is sparse due to the island’s isolation and the subsequent decline in population following European contact.

Social Structure and Beliefs

While detailed knowledge of the Nicoleño social structure is not comprehensive, it is likely they had social systems integrated with those of the greater Chumash culture. This includes possible clan systems, leadership roles, and trade networks with neighboring islands and mainland tribes. Spiritual beliefs and practices, although not widely documented for the Nicoleño specifically, likely incorporated animistic elements, with rituals connected to both marine and astral deities, similar to the broader Chumash cosmology.

Contact and Historical Impact

The first documented European contact with San Nicolas Island occurred in the 16th century with Spanish explorers and later Russian and American fur traders. This contact initiated significant changes. The introduction of diseases, along with forced relocation by Spanish missions, heavily impacted the island population, reducing the native Nicoleños significantly.

By the early 19th century, the island’s native population had dwindled dramatically. Many were removed to mainland California missions, primarily to the Mission San Gabriel Arcángel. The most famous narrative of Nicoleño history is that of \The Lone Woman of San Nicolas Island" – a woman left behind during a mission relocation effort who reportedly lived alone on the island for several years until her removal in the 1850s.

Archaeological and Cultural Legacy

Recent archaeological efforts have provided a clearer picture of how the inhabitants adapted to their environment over millennia, offering insights into their fishing, tool-making, and habitation practices. These findings underscore the island's role in understanding broader Channel Islands prehistory and the adaptive strategies of maritime-based Native cultures.

Today, San Nicolas Island is under U.S. Navy jurisdiction, limiting direct public access but allowing for controlled archaeological research that continues to piece together the story of its early inhabitants. The cultural narrative of the San Nicolas Island Native Americans remains a subject of significant interest for historians and archaeologists, not only as a chapter of Chumash history but also as a unique adaptation of humanity to isolated island environments."

Related Samples

Same Publication
Same Culture

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
SN-50	San Nicolas Island Native American	420 CE	San Nicolas Island (California), USA	View

Ancient Genetic Admixture

Ancient genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (SN-50) 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 76%

Ancient Asians 24%

Modern Genetic Admixture

Modern genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (SN-50) 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 90%

Native American 90.4%

Asia 10%

Northern Asian 4%

Siberian 2.5%

Mongolian 1.9%

Japanese & Korean 4%

Japanese 4.4%

Northern West Asian 1%

Anatolian 0.7%

Central Asian, Northern Indian & Pakistani 0%

G25 Coordinates

The G25 coordinates for the sample SN-50 are as follows. You can analyze its admixture using G25 Studio.

SN-50,0.0551699,-0.3081758,0.10746848,0.0975417,-0.10756768,-0.01848556,-0.27331828,-0.32448786,-0.01109236,-0.01766418,0.00027978,-0.00026426,-0.00130214,0.02198796,-0.00861834,0.00283334,0.0044573,0.00302832,0.00493298,-0.00138228,-0.00013824,0.00428082,-0.00269034,-0.0014855,-0.00165827

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