POLLEN AND MACROFLORAL ANALYSIS AT THE MAXON RANCH SITE, 48SW2590, WYOMING

Summary

The Maxon Ranch site (48SW2590), located along the south-southwestern flank of Miller

Mountain at an elevation of 2225-2285m (7300-7500 ft.), contained evidence of four occupations.

Excavations in 1984 by Western Wyoming College yielded evidence of four cultural components

ranging in age from at least 7000 years ago to the Late Prehistoric. Radiocarbon ages obtained

from several isolated pit features, as well as two semi-subterranean habitation structures, ranged

from 6480 ± 90 (Cultural Component I) to 1140 ± 100 BP (Cultural Component IV).

Current data recovery excavations surrounded a hearth that was dated to 4730 ± 70 BP

during the 1999 WCRM testing. Floated light fractions from the fill of several features at the Maxon

Ranch site were examined for macrofloral remains to provide information concerning plant

resources that were utilized. Several pieces of groundstone also were washed for pollen and

starches to determine plants that might have been processed using these tools. Soil controls were

collected with the groundstone.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• PaleoResearch Institute

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