 While their tribal territory encompassed a small area, it was one of great biological diversity.On the west loomed the perennially snow-capped peaks of the majestic Cascade Mountains; to the east was a barren wasteland of alkali flats; towering forests of Ponderosa pines were to the north while the present-day Lava Beds National Monument, formed their southern boundary.Descended from indigenous cultures who had been in the region for 10,000 years, the historic Modoc were culturally unique.