POLLEN AND MACROFLORAL ANALYSES OF SAND CANYON PUEBLO: FEASIBILITY STUDY AND PRELIMINARY INTERPRETATIONS

Summary

Sand Canyon Pueblo is located in Montezuma County in the southwest

corner of the state of Colorado. This late Pueblo III site is situated at

the head of Sand Canyon at an elevation of 6800 ft (2073 m). Sand Canyon

ultimately drains into McElmo Creek at an elevation of 5400 ft (1646 m).

Considerable topographic diversity is noted in the area, which would have

provided habitats for a variety of flora and fauna. A spring is located at

the site, and arable land is abundant on the mesa top above the pueblo.

Major vegetation communities in the vicinity of the site include a pinon/

juniper community on the site, and a small riparian community at the spring,

which supports sedges and cattail. The mesa top is currently under cultivation

for beans. The local canyons are deeply dissected and only sparsely

vegetated. The local environment is characterized as semi-arid, with rainfall

averaging approximately 15 inches per year (Winter 1975).

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• PaleoResearch Institute

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