Artifacts include projectile points, knives and scrapers, grinding stones, mauls, fish-net weights, and bone needles are evidence of long term inhabitance of the Nez Perce country dating back as far as 14,000 years ago. The sophisticated design of these STONE TOOLS dates from these years and is followed by the introduction of metal tools such as this KNIFE with a beaded scabbard.

Human ancestors discovered with DNA links to Columbia River tribes of today.

Evidence of earth ovens used for processing roots such as qém’es (camas), shown blooming in current day Wallowa County in the first image, and qa·ws (biscuitroot), shown dried in the second image.

Early petroglyphs and pictographs—abstract designs and patterns, dots, circles and triangles—eventually depict use of atlatl, a stone tool. 

Adoption of horses meant the Nez Perce were no longer limited to travel by feet or canoe to hunt or trade, leading to cultural changes and population increases.

Nez Perce save the lives of Lewis and Clark. A peace treaty is made between Nez Perce and the Corps of Discovery.

Without the help of the Nez Perce, Lewis and Clark would not have reached the Pacific. They paid their guides with rifles and ammunition. With guns, hunting and war practices changed significantly. This BUFFALO HORN was fashioned into a GUN POWDER CANISTER and worn across the shoulder. 

Whitman and Spalding missionaries arrive in the region. Nez Perce were originally open to new theologies and willingly adopted them as a way to meet their needs.

The wal’wá·ma Nez Perce are forcibly relocated to an Idaho reservation.

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