Mission diet. Remains of charred corn and prickly pear (Opuntia sp.) seeds (top row) were recovered during excavations at Mission San Lorenzo de la Santa Cruz, suggesting the Indians-and possibly the Spanish occupants, as well, mixed wild plants with their domestically grown foods. Early accounts tell of priests and expedition leaders having to rely on native peoples to provide food, such as roasted agave hearts, during lean times. TARL archives.
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