California Athabascan Groups

"California Athabascan Groups" by Martin A. Baumhoff is a scientific publication written in the mid-20th century. The work is part of the Anthropological Records series from the University of California and focuses on detailed ethnographic research centered on the various Athabascan tribes in Northwestern California. The text aims to compile and analyze original and secondary data related to the distribution, village locations, and population of these tribes, utilizing extensive field notes gathered by C. Hart Merriam, a key figure in California Indian ethnology. The opening of this study introduces the background of Merriam’s extensive collection of ethnographic data and highlights the collaborative efforts that led to this research being published. It recounts the history of ethnographic studies in the region, particularly the contributions of earlier researchers like Pliny Earle Goddard, and the challenges faced due to the limited previous documentation regarding California Athabascans. This section lays the groundwork for understanding the current knowledge of tribal distributions and demographics, preparing the reader for the more detailed analyses of individual tribes and their cultural contexts that will follow in the subsequent chapters.