The Aboriginal Population of the San Joaquin Valley, California

This study examines the original inhabitants of California's central valley, focusing on the peoples who lived south of the Sacramento watershed before sustained European contact. By dividing the vast landscape into ecological and river‑based zones, the author maps the territories of groups such as the Yokuts, Miwok, Western Mono, Tubatulabal, and Kawaiisu. The introduction sets the stage with a clear picture of the valley’s natural limits and the historic pattern of gradual Spanish and later American incursion.

Drawing on census‑style counts, river basin surveys, and six detailed maps, the work estimates population figures for the mid‑nineteenth century and breaks them down by sub‑region. It compares contemporary estimates with earlier ethnographic records, highlighting how demographic patterns shifted as missions, forts, and settlers moved deeper into the valley. The resulting analysis offers a nuanced view of how ecological diversity and tribal boundaries intersected before the disruptive wave of colonization.