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Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá
Some Uses of Locally-quarried Stone

San Diego Mission Local Indian Displays

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The following photographs were taken in late May 2012 during a trip we took to San Diego County in which we sought out the mission and various granite quarries. Peggy B. & Pat Perazzo


	“The Mission Indians” sign at the San Diego Mission (See below for transcription of this sign.)	Stone mortar and pestle

The Mission Indians
transcription of the sign shown above)

“The Native Americans of Southern California are officially listed by the Federal Government as Mission Indians. This designation has no reference to their tribal origin but rather to the fact that that (sic) most of these Indians had been Christianized at the missions. In the San Diego area, these Indians – the Kumeyaay – were linguistically related to the Yuman Indians. The Padres at the Mission called the Indians ‘Diegueños’ to show that they were associated with Mission San Diego.

“The Diegueños Indians were primarily seed-gatherers and acorns were an important part of their diet. Metates and manos, made of stone, were used to grind the seeds into flour. Deer, rabbits, squirrels, rats, snakes, frogs and shellfish supplemented their diet, as well as fruits, berries, and vegetables when possible. Along the coast, families were likely to occupy huts of tule. Inland, the huts were made of brush or branches.

The padres attracted the Indian natives to the Mission by offering them food, clothing, blankets and beads. Once the natives were instructed in the Catholic faith and chose to be baptized, they became neophytes. The men learned agriculture, carpentry, and blacksmithing. The women learned cooking and weaving. The padres encouraged the observance of many feast days and as a result, processions, fiestas, games, and celebrations were frequent.

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Sign describing the ’ewaa, a typical hut used by the local Indians (See below for a transcription of the above sign.)	Replica of an ’ewaa hut, and stone mortars

‘Ewaa

“Local American Indian descendants built this example of a typical hut used by the Kumeyaay before and during mission days.

“After gathering and cutting branches from Willow trees, they shaped the branches to make a frame. The branches were then tied together and secured to the frame and then smaller branches were woven into the structure to fill in the spaces.

“an ‘ewaa provided warmth and protection from the elements for two or more people.”


	Stone Mortars

Stone Mortars & Pestles		Replica of an Indian hut at the San Diego Mission

Burden Basket & Discoidal Stones	Discoidal Stones – Probably used in playing games	Discoidal Stones Sign

	Indian implement display at the San Diego Mission

	Stone Mortars & Pestles display