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BTW, prior to the arrival of the Spaniards and their missions Indians didn't leave markers with names anyway.

I know. I'm an archaeologist. But we are not talking about "prior to the arrival of the Spaniards." We are talking about during the mission era (1769-1834) in California. Stay on subject.

You might try this site: http://taylorandfrancis.metapress.com/(cmmjepbkkeo5o3n1wg3ewu45)/app/home/contribution.asp?referrer=parent&backto=issue,6,10;journal,13,24;linkingpublicationresults,1:104736,1 to see if you can get some up to date information.

That article deals primarily with TB. Does not apply.

To repeat: California, mission era, death rate about 90%. "Enlightenment" indeed!

You had a 90% death rate among the Mandan Indians just after the visit by the Lewis & Clark company. There was a 95% death rate among the Mohicans in a single winter in New England/New York back in the mid 1600s.

There's absolutely no reason why California would suffer a high death rate from a unique cause not found elsewhere in the Americas.