POLLEN AND MACROFLORAL ANALYSES AT A LATE ALTITHERMAL SITE (48SW5175) IN SOUTHWESTERN WYOMING

Summary

Site 48SW5175 is a Late Altithermal site located approximately 5 miles

south of Rock Springs, Wyoming. The site is composed of a house pit

containing a slab-lined hearth, an exterior slab-lined hearth, numerous

small exterior hearths, a midden area, and several humic stains. Three

radiocarbon dates from this site indicate a date range of 3710 + 60 BP to

5130 ± 90 BP, with an intermediate date of 4310 + 200 BP. Pollen and

macrofloral analyses were undertaken at this site in an effort to define the

paleoenvironment and provide data concerning the vegetal portion of the

subsistence base. Stratigraphic samples were taken from acultural and

cultural deposits located in a midden area. Subsistence analysis at this

site relies primarily on sampling features and the floor of the house pit at

the site. Evidence of definable activity areas was sought in the pollen

record through sampling various locations on the house pit floor. A

definition of subsistence-related activity in the various slab-lined

hearths, pit features, and humic stains was also attempted through pollen

analysis.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• PaleoResearch Institute

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