How long did the canoes last?
We don’t really know how long Chumash canoes might last after they were built. It probably depended on how often they were used and how much wear and tear they experienced. The Chumash kept their tomols in a moist place in the shade until they were ready to go out to sea. They would check the canoe carefully and make any needed repairs. They took good care of the tomol so it would last as long as possible. :: BASKETRY :: To Top Baskets played essential roles in all aspects of Chumash life — for gathering, storing, preparing and serving food, holding water, keeping money and other valuables, measuring acorns for trade, carrying babies, in gambling, as gifts, and for ceremonies. Even the Chumash house was much like an upside-down basket. How did the Chumash make their baskets? The Chumash used both twined and coiled weaving techniques. It is for their beautiful coiled baskets — trays, bowls of all sizes, treasure baskets and hats — that the Chumash are most renowned. The coiled basket
