Burton’s Mound

Burton’s Mound. Syuxtun Village. , Syuxtun (where the Two Trails Run) Village with nearly 500 inhabitants was one of the largest of some 150 villages on the coast. Ideally located, about where you are standing now, approximately 650 feet from the beach and just west of Mission Creek. This location, safe from flooding by the natural mound formation, provided the native Chumash people with an abundance of natural resources. Plants such as the tule and willow readily found nearby were used in constructing their thatched homes and sacred semi-under ground sweat houses. The different grasslike Rush plants were used for basketry, sitting mats, clothing, fishing nets and much more. , Plant seeds gathered and stored in functional and beautiful basketry were a rich source of nutrients. One of the most important food sources for the Chumash, the Acorn (khpanish or shipitish), was abundant, reliable and storable. And is also known to have one of the most efficient vegetable-to-animal protein conversion. Seeds from the Chia (‘ilepesh), the Holly-leafed Cherry (‘akhtayukhash or islay) and Red Maids (khutash or pil) plants were much sought after in trade and were measured by the standard unit volume of the woman's basketry hat. It was reported that the islanders came to the mainland trading shell beads for as many hatfuls as they could get. , Fishing was also an important part of the daily life of both the coastal and island Chumash. Tomols, plank canoes, superbly crafted from split pine (tak) and caulked with natural tar, were used for fishing with hooks or nets for smaller fish and harpoons for larger fish. These canoes were seen on the Santa Barbara Channel from A.D. 1000 until the mid 1800's. , After cleansing in the sweat house, hunters would chew and rub down with sage to mask their scent. Slowly crawling while wearing deerhides, they would get within an easy shot of their prey. Meat added variety to their meals. The entire animal was used in making tools, leather and other necessary items. , Living closely to mother earth the Chumash people manufactured all of the items needed to perform their daily tasks, which consisted of diverse activities from preparing the evening meal to their mystical, spiritual and healing ceremonies. They applied skill, attention and beautiful design to each item they created.