POLLEN AND BOTANIC ANALYSIS OF SAMPLES FROM THE STONE BALL SITE (48SW11666), SOUTHWESTERN WYOMING

Summary

Seventeen pollen and a single botanic sample were submitted for analysis from the Stone

Ball Site (48SW11666). Seven pollen samples represent hearth fills, six samples represent the

cultural level and ash/rock middens, and four samples represent washes of rock slabs used as

lining for slab-lined hearths. Two of these washes were examined from each component. Two

components were noted at this site. Component B, the oldest, is anchored by calibrated

radiocarbon ages of 5480 to 4570 BP. This component contained deep, slab-lined hearths, a large

basin-shaped hearth, an ash dump, and a stone ball. Stone balls found in Fremont sites in Utah

date to approximately 750-950 BP. "Some have speculated that these stone balls were grinding

implements" (unknown:2). This stone ball was not submitted for archaeobotanic testing that might

identify whether or not it had been used for grinding. Component A, which overlies Component B,

also exhibited slab-lined and basin-shaped hearths and a rock midden. It yielded radiocarbon ages

of 2270 ± 70, 3410 ± 70, and 3560 ± 70 BP. In addition, a single modern seed, recovered from

Feature 23, was submitted for identification.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• PaleoResearch Institute

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