The Works of Hubert Howe Bancroft: The Native Races (1886) is part of Bancroft’s monumental series documenting the history, cultures, and societies of Indigenous peoples of the Americas. The section “The Shoshone Family” (pp. 422–470) provides an in-depth account of the Shoshone people, focusing on their social organization, kinship systems, economic practices, and interactions with neighboring tribes and Euro-American settlers.
Bancroft’s work combines ethnographic observation, historical records, and traveler accounts to describe Shoshone life, including hunting and gathering practices, seasonal migrations, religious beliefs, and ceremonial customs. The text also addresses the impact of early trade, conflicts, and territorial pressures brought by European-American expansion.
While reflecting the 19th-century perspectives and biases of its author, the section remains a valuable historical resource for understanding Shoshone society and culture prior to the profound transformations of the late 19th century. Scholars of Native American history, ethnography, and Western frontier studies frequently consult Bancroft’s volumes for their detailed documentation and comprehensive coverage of Indigenous communities in the American West.
