Object Status:
Unlocated
Accession Date:
December 28, 1809
Primary Source Reference:
Peale Museum Accessions Book, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, p. 44-45
Additional Source Text:
"And others residing near the great falls of the Columbia River, and is called by them Shappellel. it is prepared from the Bulb of an umbellaferous Plant to which they give the same name -- these bulbs are pounded between two stones while in a succulent state and then exposed to the sun untill dry when they assume the appearance and consistance of this specimen. This article for several weeks constituted the principle part of the food of Capt. Lewis and party."
This artifact appears on a long list of "Articles collected by Meriwether Lewis Esqr. and William Clark Esq. in their voyage and Journey of Discovery, up the Missouri to its source and to the Pacific Ocean, presented at different periods, through the president of the United States, Thomas Jefferson."
Notes:
Meriwether Lewis (1774-1809) and William Clark (1770-1838) undertook their western Expedition in 1804-1806.
This was bread prepared from the Lomatium cous, or cous. William Clark called it "Cha-pel-el" bread.
See the entry "Roots of Cows [cous]."
