POLLEN ANALYSIS OF GROUNDSTONE FROM SITES 5MF435 and 5MF436 MOFFAT COUNTY, COLORADO

Summary

Several pieces of groundstone from sites 5MF435 and 5MF436 were washed to determine if there was any evidence of their use to grind vegetable foods. Five pieces of groundstone from 5MF435 (Duffy Shelter), including 1 mano, 3 metates, and 1 piece of groundstone, were washed for analysis. The Empire Park Site (SMF436) yielded 6 manos, 4 metates, and 4 pieces of groundstone, which were

washed for pollen analysis (Table 1). Sites 5MF435 and SMF436 are both rock shelters. Site 5MF435 is located above Milk Creek, a tributary of the Yampa River, while site 5MF436 lies on top of a small knoll above the Yampa River. The vegetation near 5MF435 is composed of pinon (Pinus), juniper (Juniperus), sagebrush (Artemisia), and grasses (Graminae). The vegetation at 5MF436 is considerably different. The immediate area around the site supports a meadow where the dominant vegetation is pasture grass (Graminae). The ridge to the south of the site and bluffs to the east support native short grasses (Graminae) and

sagebrush (Artemisia), while the ridge to the west contains numerous juniper (Juniperus).

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• PaleoResearch Institute

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