POLLEN, MACROFLORAL, AND PROTEIN RESIDUE ANALYSIS AT SITES 42WS2871 , 42WS2872, 42GA3818, 42IN1371, AND 24EM2686, SOUTHERN UTAH

Summary

Samples from five archaeological sites in southwest Utah were submitted for pollen and macrofloral analysis to provide information concerning plant resources utilized at the various sites. Artifacts from three of the sites were analyzed for possible protein residues to determine use of animal resources. Sites 42Ws2871 and 42Ws2872 are located within the city limits of St. George. Site 42Ws2871 is a rock shelter with numerous associated features. A conventional radiocarbon age of 310 ± 40 BP, which yields a calibrated age of 440-350 BP, was returned for a feature in this rockshelter. Pollen and macrofloral samples were collected from an ash concentration, two hearths, and an unlined pit feature located outside the shelter, as well as from three strata. Two hearths were sampled for pollen and macrofloral remains from 42Ws2872, an open air site that is considered to be prehistoric, but yielded no diagnostic artifacts.

Sites 42Ga3818 and 421n1371 are located along State Route 20, twenty miles north of Panguitch. Site 42Ga3818, which represents a Fremont occupation, yielded a measured age of 1340 ± 40 BP, which translates to a calibrated age of 1300 BP. Pollen and macrofloral samples were collected from a hearth and an unlined pit at 42Ga3818. A projectile point also was submitted for protein residue analysis. 42In1371 is a lithic scatter with no features. No radiocarbon age is available from this site, although occupation appears to be Archaic to Fremont. Three artifacts were tested for possible protein residues, while soil containing cultural material was sampled for pollen and macrofloral remains.

42Em2686 is a rockshelter located at the western edge of the San Rafael Swell near the town of Moore. This Fremont site yielded a measured radiocarbon age of 1120 ± 40 BP, which is calibrated to 1160-1060 BP. Hearths located near the shelter dripline were sampled for pollen and macrofloral remains, while a projectile point from outside the rockshelter and a shark tooth from within the shelter were analyzed for possible protein residues (Jody Patterson, personal communication, 24 March, 2003).

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