Approximately 8,000 years ago, American Indian groups settled in the Monterey Bay area of California. Some groups, including the Esselen, have disappeared entirely. The arrival of the Sebastian Vizca no and his fellow Spanish explorers brought about the end of the Esselen. These people contracted diseases to which the Europeans were immune, had their customs and traditions stripped from them, and eventually intermarried with other American Indian groups from the area. What was life like before the Europeans arrived? This book provides readers with evidence of the Esselen lifestyle and illustrates the importance of respecting the cultures and traditions of others.