POLLEN, PHYTOLITH, MACROFLORAL, AND ORGANIC RESIDUE ANALYSIS (FTIR) OF SAMPLES FROM SITE LA 51225, DOÑA ANA COUNTY, NEW MEXICO

Summary

A total of three sherds from vessels at site LA 51225 in southern New Mexico were

submitted for pollen/starch, phytolith, and organic residue analysis, the latter using Fourier

Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Floated light fractions from the fill of a large pit with

cached artifacts, two thermal features, two trash-filled pits, and two rectangular pithouse

structures also were examined for macrofloral remains. Charcoal from a brush structure, maize

cobs, and a burned seed were identified. The site is located on a bajada just east of the Organ

Mountains in Doña Ana County and includes various features, structures, and culturallyenriched

surface deposits. Occupation of this site is believed to be associated with the Jornada

Mogollon, Doña Ana phase (A.D. 1100-1250) and the El Paso phase (A.D. 1250-1400). The

goals of the analyses include identification of foods that may have been cooked, processed, or

transported with the ceramic vessels, as well as to identify structure construction, subsistence

items, and feature use.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• PaleoResearch Institute

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