Paiute

Native Americans of the Great Basin Desert

Paiute (Numa) people occupy the vast area of the Great Basin Desert regions of Nevada, California, Oregon, Idaho, Arizona and Utah. The three cultural divisions of Northern Paiute, Owens Valley Paiute and Southern Paiute were further subdivided into smaller geographic groups. These people live on approximately 30 reservations with 10,000 people enrolled.

The Paiute adapted to the high desert by hunting and gathering such resources as pine nuts, roots, seeds, birds and fish. During autumn, the Paiute people conducted communal hunts for jack rabbits and antelope. These resources are dwindling in a misused desert environment and are a major concern for the Paiutes.

Pictured below are some Petroglyph located at the Hickison Petroglyph Recreation Area in Nevada off of Route 50.

Rock art
rock art 2

Basketery is considered one of the most exquisite art forms of the Paiute people.

-- Steve Crouthamel

 

b

Native American Desert Peoples Index
Prehistoric Desert Peoples Index

 

 

Share this page on Facebook:


DesertUSA Newsletter -- We send articles on hiking, camping and places to explore, as well as animals, wildflower reports, plant information and much more. Sign up below or read more about the DesertUSA newsletter here. (It's Free.)

The Desert Environment
The North American Deserts
Desert Geological Terms

SEARCH THIS SITE


 


Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
The movie Stagecoach, in 1939 introduced two stars to the American public, John Wayne, and Monument Valley. Visiting Monument Valley gives you a spiritual and uplifting experience that few places on earth can duplicate. Take a look at this spectacular scenery in this DesertUSA video.

Glen Canyon Dam - Lake Powell Held behind the Bureau of Reclamation's Glen Canyon Dam, waters of the Colorado River and tributaries are backed up almost 186 miles, forming Lake Powell. The dam was completed in 1963. Take a look at this tremendous feat of engineering - the Glen Canyon Dam.

Canyon de Chelly National Monument
Canyon de Chelly NM offers the opportunity to learn about Southwestern Indian history from the earliest Anasazi to the Navajo Indians who live and farm here today. Its primary attractions are ruins of Indian villages built between 350 and 1300 AD at the base of sheer red cliffs and in canyon wall caves.

___________________________________

Take a look at our Animals index page to find information about all kinds of birds, snakes, mammals, spiders and more!

Hot temperatures in the desertAre you interested in the temperatures in the desert?

Click here to see current desert temperatures!


 
   
 
   
Copyright © 1996- DesertUSA.com and Digital West Media, Inc. - -