POLLEN ANALYSIS, CHARCOAL, AND CORN IDENTIFICATION OF SAMPLES FROM THE BLUFF GREAT HOUSE, SITE 42SA22674, UTAH

Summary

Research at the Bluff Great House seeks to explore the relationship of this site to Chaco

Canyon, some 125 miles to the southwest. The Bluff Great House exhibits characteristics typical

of a Chacoan settlement, including an earthen berm that included trash midden deposits,

surrounding the Great House. Research questions focus on determining the relationship of the

Bluff Great House to Chaco Canyon, understanding the role of the Bluff Great House in the

Northern San Juan region, comparing the Chacoan era occupation in the Northern San Juan to

the rest of the Chacoan world, and examining diachronic changes in the Chacoan world.

Pollen analysis was undertaken on ten samples from the berm/midden and from the Great

House at 42SA22674, the Bluff Great House site. In addition, three vegetal samples were

examined for identification and/or description. One sample of probable charred meal was

subjected to chemical digestion to recover any phytoliths and/or starch granules that would

identify the source of the ground meal. The Bluff Great House site exhibited unique features

deserving of detailed archaeobotanic analysis. This study serves to identify potentials for further

analysis rather than to answer specific research questions.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• PaleoResearch Institute

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