Diggers - A name applied by the white man to several different tribes of Indians who lived in the desert area. They were root eaters and also ate lizards, as well as practically every type of animal and reptile. Many ate grasshoppers. However, the name orginally was given to a small tribe of Paiute Indians of southwest Utah, who practiced agriculture and for this reason were termed Diggers.
When the white man arrived in the West he began calling Indians of other tribes by the name Diggers - even those in California, Oregon, Idaho, and Nevada.
These Indians were reported to be very dirty and ill clothed and were considered the lowest form of Indian live. They lived in simple brush shelters and were too busy looking for food to engage in warfare.