In Part 2 of our conversation, we delve into the 1775 sacking of Mission San Diego de Alcalá, a pivotal event in California's history. Richard's detailed research challenges mainstream historical accounts and highlights the specific involvement of the Tipai subgroup of the Kumeyaay people in the attack.

Richard discusses the complex motives behind the sacking, including religious conflicts, cultural grievances, and retribution for abuses by Spanish soldiers.

We also explore the nuanced aftermath of the event, the Spanish military's response, and the broader implications for Spanish-Kumeyaay relations.

This episode offers a deep dive into the anthropology and ethnohistory of the Kumeyaay, providing a richer understanding of their complex relationship with the Spanish, Mexican and U.S. governments.

00:00 Introduction to the 1775 Sacking of Mission San Diego
00:57 Excavation and Historical Research
02:32 Anthropological Insights and Clan Dynamics
04:46 Motives Behind the Attack
05:34 Aftermath and Spanish Military Response
11:56 Cultural and Religious Implications
31:27 Long-term Effects and Legacy
44:43 Modern Reflections and Career Advice

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In Part 1 of this interview, I speak with archeologist Richard Carrico, a prominent expert on the Native peoples of California, especially those in the San Diego area. Carrico shares his intriguing journey into archaeology, beginning with his service in the U.S. Army and a twist of fate that led him to discover his passion for archaeological studies.

Richard details his educational path and various pivotal excavations, including working on the Presidio of San Diego and the Bancroft Ranch House. Carrico emphasizes the importance of understanding Native cultures, highlighting his ethnographic studies and collaboration with the Kumeyaay people of Southern California.

This episode is a rich exploration of historical archaeology and the stories that shape our understanding of Native Californian history.

Richard's book: Strangers in a Stolen Land: Indians of San Diego County from Prehistory to the New Deal

00:29 Introduction to Richard Carrico
01:18 Richard's Journey into Archaeology
02:35 Early Career and Mentorship
05:01 Professional Growth and Historic Archaeology
07:25 Transition to Commercial Archaeology
09:45 Balancing Academic and Commercial Work
17:59 Focus on Kumeyaay People and Ethnography
26:02 Challenges and Diplomatic Skills

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This solo episode explores how two ambitious foreigners, one a Scotsman and the other an American, navigated life in Mexican California during the 1830s and 1840s.

Though both shared a common language and elite backgrounds, their approaches to Californio society couldn’t have been more different. One embraced the culture, marrying into a prominent local family and becoming a trusted insider; the other kept his distance, building wealth and connections among fellow Americans while remaining aloof from his Californio neighbors.

As California’s fate shifted with the U.S.-Mexico War and the Gold Rush, these contrasting strategies had lasting consequences. Their stories offer a window into the opportunities and tensions in a society on the brink of transformation, as outsiders either integrated into or clashed with a tightly woven world of family and alliances.

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damian@californiafrontier.net