Plant Gathering Sticks

The Panamint Shoshone made these sticks to gather plants, most probably for collecting pine nuts. One end of each stick is reflexed and held in place by copper wire to form the hook. The Shoshone would spend the months preceding winter gathering non-perishable pine nuts, mesquite beans, acorns and various seeds. Such non-perishable foods were supplemented with game and fresh plants during the winter months.

Gathering Stick Tool
Panamint Shoshone
c 1928-1935
Inyo Co, CA
Wood, metal. L 110.5 cm, reflexed section L 14.3 cm
Death Valley National Park, DEVA 122

Gathering Stick Tool
c 1928-1935
Inyo Co, CA
Panamint Shoshone
Wood, metal. L 105, Dia 8.5 cm
Death Valley National Park, DEVA 3542

Gathering Stick Tool
c 1928-1935
Inyo Co, CA
Panamint Shoshone
Willow. L 120 cm, Dia 2.5
Death Valley National Park, DEVA 2041