PHYTOLITH, MACROFLORAL, AND PROTEIN RESIDUE ANALYSES, AND AMS RADIOCARBON DATING AT SITES 32ML0890, 32ML1062, 32ML1065, 32ML1067, 32ML1071, 32ML1073, AND 32ML1079, NORTH DAKOTA

Summary

A total of ten samples from the fill of hearths at sites 32ML0890, 32ML1065, 32ML1073, and 32ML1079 in McLean County, North Dakota, were examined for phytoliths and charred macrofloral remains to provide information concerning plant resources utilized by the various occupants of these sites. PET (Processed Edible Tissue) analysis was conducted on four pieces of charred organic material recovered from the macrofloral samples. PET analysis included examination of organic residues using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and pulverizing a portion of the charred organic remains to look for the presence of starches. Charcoal fragments or charred seeds from each of the macrofloral samples also were selected for AMS radiocarbon dating. One of the samples did not contain sufficient macroscopic charcoal for dating; therefore, microscopic charcoal (microcharcoal) was extracted from the sediment and used for radiocarbon dating. Six radiocarbon dates also were obtained from bone at these four sites. Nine projectile points from sites 32ML0890, 32ML1062, 32ML1065, 32ML1067, and 32ML1071 and three lithic tools from 32Ml1065, 32ML1067, and 32ML1073 were analyzed for possible protein residues to determine animal resources that might have been hunted/processed with these tools.

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