I can't imagine.
In what river did this take place?
What type of basket was used, was it made of soaked reeds, dried sea grass, and/or with wooden accents. Any combination of these materials can be combined together to make a wide variety of basket shapes, sizes, and styles. Was he actually seated in a small basket or is that just a metaphor. Basketry techniques revealed by the finds from this period are impressive and complex and provides us with a glimpse into the daily-life objects used in this period, and a window into the technology.
Are there any pictures of said basket that may reveal a clue "such as a map" woven into the basket itself to indicate as to what Father Kino was actually doing being towed down said river?
As well who and what was doing the towing.
Was he looking for something along the shore line such as a symbol?
Was he a Jesuit?
As a student of the study of the ancient world I am interested if you were to clarify what was going on here.
Hello Hal, a little help here please.
http://padrekino.com/index.php/kino-legacy/preface-memoirs/
Here is an article to read and the specific paragraph below that answers a few of your questions which, btw, have impressed me. It's alway refreshing to find someone with similar interests.
I have invested quite a bit of time researching the life and times of the Jesuit Father Kino, (several variations in the spelling) and haven't even come close to scratching the surface of what's available.
Among other things, many other things, Kino went searching for quicksilver.
Today, historians resist placing Kino's explorations north of the Gila, but I strongly disagree with that conclusion. I have seen evidence that he reached the Moqui, which, as you may know, was far north of that river.
Read up on Kino. There are things about him that are true mysteries and will certainly leave you scratching your head... and wanting more. I also have a few interesting ideas about Kino that tie into much larger, more controversial ideas. This isn't the place to write about that, however these ideas will challenge your perception of history.
If you need help with the research, just ask. There are others on this site who are equally if not more knowledgable about the wonderings and good deeds of Americas first Jesuit cowboy.
"This assurance was the inspiration of his remaining journeys. In the same year, 1700, he for the first time reached the Yuma junction, and learned that he was above the head of the Gulf, which greatly strengthened his belief in the peninsular theory. In the next year he returned to the same point by way of the Camino del Diablo, passed some distance down the Colorado, and crossed over to the California side, towed on a raft by Indians and sitting in a basket. Finally, in 1702, his triumph came, for he again returned to the Yuma junction, descended the Colorado to the Gulf, and saw the sun rise over its head. He was now satisfied that he had demonstrated the feasibility of a land passage to California and had disproved the idea that California was an island."
