The Chimariko are said to be extinct as a separate group in the Handbook of the North American Indian. They were not numerous before contact with Europeans, perhaps a few hundred persons. They lived along 20 miles of the Trinity River above the south fork, 6 villages having been recorded at time of contact. Their houses and sweathouses were circular, with a single ridgepole, and earth piled on the bark roof. Their food sources were deer, elk and bear, salmon and eels, and acorns, pine-nuts and berries. They wore buckskin aprons (women) and buckskin trousers (men) deerskin robes, and rabbitskin blankets. Wealthy men might own dentalia shells, clam shell cylinder beads, woodpecker scalps, red obsidian blades and/or silver fox skin blankets, and articles made of horn. A rich man might use an elkhorn tray to hold glue to attach sinew to a bow, or a horn spoon with a carved handle. Personal ornamentation might consist of abalone or
dentalium shells, condor and eagle feathers, yellowhammer headbands or bearclaw necklaces. They made twined baskets, bowls of clay or soapstone, and clay toys of canoes and human figures. They also used wooden platters for meat. (Heizer: 1978) They spoke a Hokan language like the Shasta and the Karok, and followed a similar way of life. They got obsidian from the Wintun. (Davis: 1966)

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California Native American Language Map