Sheaves are made up of bundles of cereal stalks, progressively grouped into bundles and then tied together. The purpose of sheaves was to facilitate the transport and preservation of the harvest. The size of the sheaf varied depending on the type of cereal, the cut and the customs of the region. To tie the sheaves, stalks of straw, rush or other plant materials were used, and then hemp strings with wooden rings.
They were then gathered into large piles (biche) structured in such a way as to preserve the harvest outdoors, protecting it from the elements. The shape and size of the piles (round, oval or in long strips) varied according to local customs.
To reach the place where the threshing took place, the sheaves were transported on the heads or shoulders of the harvesters for short distances, while for longer distances carts were used.