What cooking tools did the nez perces use?

The Nez Perce, like many other Native American tribes, used a variety of tools and methods for cooking. Here are some of the key tools they employed:

For Cooking Over Fire:

* Fire: The most essential tool, of course. They used various methods to start fires, including friction sticks, hand drills, and flint and steel.

* Cooking Pits: These were dug in the ground, lined with stones, and heated with fire. Food was placed inside and covered with earth, creating a type of oven.

* Earthenware Pots: These were hand-made from clay and fired, often decorated with intricate patterns. They were used for boiling, stewing, and baking.

* Wooden Ladles: Used to stir and serve food from pots.

* Stone Knives: Used to cut, chop, and prepare ingredients.

* Wooden Forks: Used to spear and lift food from the cooking pit.

For Drying and Storing:

* Sun Drying: Many fruits, berries, and meats were dried in the sun to preserve them for later use.

* Smoke Drying: Meats were also often smoked over fires to preserve them and add flavor.

* Animal Skins: These were used as containers for storing dried foods and other provisions.

* Basketry: Woven baskets of various sizes were used to hold and transport food, as well as for cooking certain items.

Specific Examples:

* Pemmican: A high-energy food made from dried buffalo meat, berries, and fat. It was often packed for travel and could be eaten raw or cooked.

* Fish: Salmon, trout, and other fish were often cooked over an open fire, roasted, or dried.

* Roots and Berries: These were gathered and often boiled or roasted.

* Game: Deer, elk, and buffalo were hunted and cooked in various ways, including roasting, boiling, and drying.

It's important to note that these tools and methods varied between different Nez Perce bands and over time. The specific techniques and ingredients used depended on the local environment and available resources.