In this detailed account of an archaeological dig along the banks of the Upper Sacramento River in Northern California, we gain unforgettable glimpses into the village life of a Wintu tribe 175 years ago, including signs of their often contentious interactions with other groups and evidence of the epidemic that nearly destroyed the tribe in 1833.

With the assistance of several Wintu tribal members and volunteers from throughout the area, archaeologists conducted careful excavations of the site, preserving portions of it from the threat of land development. The investigations of this team yielded a firsthand account of how the Wintu lived prior to the arrival of Europeans in the region—their food, clothing, tools, social structure, burial techniques, and more—as well as their experiences during and following contact. Not only did the site yield rich information on day-to-day village life, but the investigations also led to the dramatic discovery that a malaria epidemic had swept through the area along with some of the earliest European fur traders.

Informative and accessible to the layperson interested in archaeology, Life on the River is a testament to the importance of archaeology in the understanding of our history and cultural heritage.

Published in collaboration with Far Western Anthropological Research Group, Inc.