1. Juana Maria, better known to history as the Lone Woman of San Nicolas Island, was a Native Californian woman who was the last surviving member of her tribe, the Nicoleno.
18 Facts About Juana Maria
1. 2.
Juana Maria lived alone on San Nicolas Island off the coast of Alta California from 1835 until her removal from the island in 1853.
3.
Juana Maria was the last native speaker of the Nicoleno language.
4.
Juana Maria was dressed in a skirt made of greenish cormorant feathers.
5.
Four words and two songs recorded from Juana Maria suggest she spoke one of the Uto-Aztecan languages native to Southern California, but it is not clear to which branch it is related.
6.
Juana Maria was reportedly fascinated and ecstatic upon arrival, marveling at the sight of horses, along with European clothing and food.
7.
Juana Maria was probably about 50 years old, but she was still strong and active.
8.
Juana Maria's face was pleasing as she was continually smiling.
9.
Juana Maria's teeth were entire but worn to the gums.
10.
Juana Maria apparently enjoyed visits by curious Santa Barbara residents, singing and dancing for her audiences.
11.
One of the songs Juana Maria sang is popularly called the "Toki Toki" song.
12.
Juana Maria existed on shell fish and the fat of the seal, and dressed in the skins and feathers of wild ducks, which she sewed together with sinews of the seal.
13.
Juana Maria cannot speak any known language, is good-looking and about middle age.
14.
Juana Maria seems to be contented in her new home among the good people of Santa Barbara.
15.
Just seven weeks after arriving on the mainland, Juana Maria died of dysentery in Garey, California.
16.
Juana Maria was buried in an unmarked grave on the Nidever family plot at the Santa Barbara Mission cemetery.
17.
The site is located on the northwest coast of San Nicolas, where Juana Maria is believed to have spent much of her time.
18.
In 2012, Navy archaeologist Steven Schwartz, working with Vellanoweth and his students from California State University, Los Angeles, found and uncovered the buried remnants of the long-lost Indian Cave, where Juana Maria may have lived.