EXPLORATORY POLLEN ANALYSIS ON TERRACES AT MACHU PICCHU, PERU

Summary

Pollen analysis of three samples per hole, collected at standard intervals of 0-5 inches, 5-15

inches, and 15-25 inches below the surface (Table 1) represents five holes on five of the

agricultural terraces at Machu Pichu. This is the first pollen analysis conducted on these terraces.

Specific goals for this analysis included:

1) identifying pollen present to assess the quality of pollen preservation in the samples and

the potential for future analysis,

2) examining the pollen record for evidence of plants growing on the terraces and/or nearby

to provide a record of vegetation, and

3) identifying the presence of pollen or other organic remains that might represent

agricultural crops grown on these terraces.

Five agricultural terraces spaced across the terrace system were selected for testing.

These terraces include a remote terrace, represented by samples from Hole 1, as well as terraces

more centrally located.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• PaleoResearch Institute

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