Before the arrival of European conquistadors in the 16th century, the lands eventually known as Mexico and Texas were populated by tribes of indigenous people who represented many different kinds of cultures. Because written history was not a tradition in these tribes, information about these indigenous people is imprecise. Most were hunter-gathers, a nomadic way of life that moved with the seasons in search of food. However, the introduction of agriculture, horses and domesticated livestock would later alter many of these indigenous cultures. (Alamo, 1)
"Traditionally, the Indians who lived in the area now known as South Texas are loosely grouped under the linguistic category called 'Coahuiltecans.'” (Alamo, 1) These native groups often migrated throughout the area of northern Mexico known as Coahuila as well as the South Texas Plains. Men hunted rabbit, deer, or bison, while women and children gathered the majority of their food including fruits, nuts, seeds and beans. In South Texas, beans such as the mesquite pod were staples.
Knowledge about the inhabitants of this region during the European arrival is derived from the reports of European explorers like Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca, a Spanish conquistador who was shipwrecked with his companions on the Texas coast in 1528. De Vaca and his companions wandered the area and lived amongst the local Indians for several years, eventually walking over 2,000 miles to Mexico City. This adventure provided the Spanish with a vivid description of indigenous life in Texas.
Yet it was French exploration of Texas in the 17th century that would lead Spain to solidify its claim to Texas. Several French explorers, including Sieur René Robert Cavelier de La Salle, landed at Matagorda Bay in 1685, attempting to secure French territorial ambitions in Texas, forcing Spain to establish a permanent system of missions, forts, and outposts in the region.
"Traditionally, the Indians who lived in the area now known as South Texas are loosely grouped under the linguistic category called 'Coahuiltecans.'” (Alamo, 1) These native groups often migrated throughout the area of northern Mexico known as Coahuila as well as the South Texas Plains. Men hunted rabbit, deer, or bison, while women and children gathered the majority of their food including fruits, nuts, seeds and beans. In South Texas, beans such as the mesquite pod were staples.
Knowledge about the inhabitants of this region during the European arrival is derived from the reports of European explorers like Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca, a Spanish conquistador who was shipwrecked with his companions on the Texas coast in 1528. De Vaca and his companions wandered the area and lived amongst the local Indians for several years, eventually walking over 2,000 miles to Mexico City. This adventure provided the Spanish with a vivid description of indigenous life in Texas.
Yet it was French exploration of Texas in the 17th century that would lead Spain to solidify its claim to Texas. Several French explorers, including Sieur René Robert Cavelier de La Salle, landed at Matagorda Bay in 1685, attempting to secure French territorial ambitions in Texas, forcing Spain to establish a permanent system of missions, forts, and outposts in the region.