부산대학교 도서관

Due to their isolation, insularity, and lower biodiversity, the islands of Alta and Baja California have often been perceived as marginal habitat for humans compared to the adjacent mainland. Recent archaeological work, however, has revealed a deep history of sustained human settlement on many of the islands from the Terminal Pleistocene to the present, where large Native American populations had complex economies, sophisticated maritime technologies, and elaborate material cultures. With modern restoration efforts, the native vegetation, fisheries, and hydrology of the islands is recovering, raising questions about the marginality of the islands prior to European contact. This chapter draws from archaeological and ecological data to argue that the California Islands were optimal habitat for humans, with ample resources, both marine and terrestrial.