What foods made up most of the traditional Great Basin diet?

The traditional diet of the Indigenous peoples of the Great Basin was primarily plant-based, with vegetal sources typically accounting for more than 70 percent of their food supply.1

Plant Foods

More than 200 species of plants were utilized, with a primary focus on seeds and roots. A staple of the autumn season was the piñon nut, which was gathered in large quantities from upland groves and stored for winter consumption. Other important plant foods included various roots, such as camas, which required detoxification through steaming or pit roasting.12

Animal Foods

While plant gathering was central, hunting and fishing provided essential protein. Great Basin peoples hunted a variety of animals, including:
* Small game: Rodents were trapped or pulled from burrows, and rabbits were captured during communal drives.1
* Large game: Hunters pursued deer, elk, and mountain sheep using bows, arrows, and traps. Equestrian groups also engaged in bison hunting.1
* Waterfowl and Fish: Birds were netted or shot, and groups living near lakes and rivers relied on salmon and other fish, often using nets, hooks, and weirs.1