MICROSCOPIC ANALYSIS OF CONTENTS OF A PREHISTORIC PIPE, RIV 399, CALIFORNIA

Summary

A stone pipe recovered in western Riverside County, California was submitted for

microscopic analysis that might identify plants that were smoked. Radiocarbon dates from the

site suggest a time frame of about AD 1020 for use of the pipe. This shaped stone pipe was

filled with sediment that was removed for study as a control sample. Following this, the interior

surface of the pipe was washed to recover evidence of the material smoked. Pollen, phytolith,

and macrofloral analyses were performed on both the control and wash samples. Protein

analysis was not conducted on this pipe because the use of fire alters proteins, making them

unrecognizable by antisera prepared to uncooked animal and plant proteins.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• PaleoResearch Institute

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