Coso people facts for kids
The Coso people were an ancient Native American group. They lived in the Mojave Desert in California, in the southwestern United States. The Coso people spoke a language called Numic, which is part of the larger Uto-Aztecan language family. This language was similar to what the Northern Paiute people spoke.
The Coso people are most famous for their amazing ancient rock art. These drawings are called petroglyphs. A special area in California, known as the Coso Rock Art District, is now a National Historic Landmark. This means it is a very important historical site.
History of the Coso People
Scientists have found proof that the Coso people traded with other Native American tribes. For example, they traded with the Chumash people. The Chumash lived along the coast in areas that are now Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties.
How do we know this? Archaeologists found a special type of rock called obsidian at coastal sites. This obsidian came from the Coso lands. This shows that people traveled and exchanged goods across different regions. The Coso people are often seen as part of the larger Northern Paiute group.
Amazing Rock Art: Petroglyphs
The Coso people created many incredible rock drawings, or petroglyphs. You can find lots of these drawings in places like Big and Little Petroglyph Canyons. These artworks are part of the Coso Rock Art District. They were made a very long time ago, in prehistoric times.
In 1964, the Big and Little Petroglyph Canyons were named a National Historic Landmark. Later, in 2001, they became part of an even bigger area. This larger area is called the Coso Rock Art District.
To celebrate these amazing drawings, a festival started in 2014. The Ridgecrest Petroglyph Festival happens every year in Ridgecrest, California. It has even been called one of the "10 Most Unique Autumn Festivals in the Country." The festival includes a special gathering called an intertribal powwow. There is also a street fair and tours to see the Big and Little Petroglyph Canyons.
