CHAPTER 7: P0LLEN AND MACROFLORAL ANALYSIS OF MATERIAL FOR PACKAGE 116 THE LATE NINETEENTH-CENTURY PRIVIES AND POSSIBLE GARDEN AREAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE EARLY NINETEENTH-CENTURY OLD MASTER ARMORER'S HOUSE AT HARPERS FERRY NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK, WEST VIRGINIA

Summary

Pollen samples represent both prehistoric and historic contexts sampled during archaeological excavations for Package 116. Two groups of stratigraphic samples representing nineteenth-century historic period as well as several prehistoric phases that probably ate from 1200-300 BC were analyzed from Excavation Units 3 and 18 (Figure 7.1). Historic and prehistoric pollen samples were examined from Excavation Unit 19, one of the likely locations for the mater armorer's garden.

Examination of the historic pollen record provides information concerning changes uses of the backyard areas. Information regarding gardens, either formal or informal, that might have been planted or tended by the master armorer or personnel associated with the historic occupations were sought. Changes in vegetation between the occupation by the master armorer and later occupations by commercial entrepreneurs and rooming house boarders through the nineteenth and into the twentieth century were sought.

Macrofloral analyses were conducted on samples from three privies to examine historic diet patters. In addition, soil samples from Excavation Units 4 and 19 were examined to provide information concerning local plants, either within a formal or informal garden, or perhaps untended setting. The macrofloral data from these excavation units combines with the pollen data to provide a more complete picture of plants growing in these areas during the historic occupations. Both data bases address questions concerning the presence of formal or informal gardens, and the possibility that no attempt was made to control local vegetation.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• PaleoResearch Institute

Record Identifiers

PRI Technical Report(s): 90-076

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