PHYTOLITH ANALYSIS AT THE MENDANALES GARDENS, NEW MEXICO

Summary

Gravel mulched gardens with rock borders were sampled for phytoliths at

three prehistoric sites near Mendanales, New Mexico. These gardens have

been the subject of considerable study, including archaeological

excavations, pollen analysis, and physical/chemical soil studies. This

study follows pollen analysis at this site, where maize pollen was recovered

in ten of the twenty-seven samples from garden areas and a single hearth.

Three archaeological sites (LA 48676, LA 48679, and LA 486870) were sampled

for pollen and phytoliths, although the majority of the samples represent a

single site, LA 48679. Phytolith analysis was designed to address which of

these fields was used to grow cultivated crops, specifically maize.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• PaleoResearch Institute

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