There is little likelihood that their habitations might be covered by the large cliff dwellings of later periods, as none have been found in empty rock shelters that would easily have served as a place for them to live. Dry caves in other areas gave much protection to items left by Basketmakers, so archeologists have a good understanding of their culture. Mummies found in dry caves occupied by these people show the women cut their hair short and the men allowed their hair to grow long. Some men had elaborate hair styles and often tied their hair in three sections. One went down each side and one down the back.
Items made with humanhair suggest that it was commonly used for weaving.
Some mummies have been found, but the bodies were not intentionally mummified. When the dead were buried in a very dry cave, the dry soil dehydrated the body. Bacteria that would otherwise decay it could not live in such dry soil. Food was a constant, primary concern for the Basketmakers. Like the earlier hunting cultures of the Colorado Plateau, these people were masters at collecting seed, nuts, and other fruits and berries.