Pollen and Protein Residue Analysis at the Upper Twin Mountain Site (5GA1513), Middle Park, Colorado

Summary

Pollen and protein analyses were performed on soil samples and artifacts from the Upper

Twin Mountain site (5GA1513), a bison bone bed associated with the Goshen Period. Site

5GA1513 is located on the south slope of Upper Twin Mountain and within the encompassing

high montane basin, Middle Park. Four pollen samples were collected from a stratigraphic

column that included the bison bone bed near its base. The environmental signal represented

within these four pollen samples is consistent with currently accepted paleoclimatic

interpretations associated with the time periods represented by the soil strata. Four artifacts also

were recovered from the bone bed and analyzed for possible protein residues. Immunological

studies have shown that protein residues from a tool's surface can be identified using modified

forensic procedures. This analysis is used to provide information concerning animals that may

have been hunted/butchered using these artifacts.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• PaleoResearch Institute

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