MACROFLORAL, PHYTOLITH, AND ORGANIC RESIDUE (FTIR) ANALYSES AND AMS RADIOCARBON DATING OF SAMPLES FROM SITE LA 17126 AT THE TURNER B SOUTH TANK BATTERY, EDDY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO

Summary

Ten samples from site LA 171726 at the Turner B South Tank Battery in Eddy County, New Mexico, were submitted for macrofloral, phytolith, and organic residue analyses. Seven samples were collected from features in an area of the site contaminated with chlorides and some oil. The remaining samples consisted of fill from two small, basin-shaped thermal features believed to represent hearths in an area of the site not affected by the spill. The results of analyses from samples not affected by the spill and from samples in the contaminated area will be compared to determine how these types of spills affect the information potential of an archaeological site. Samples were tested for organic residues using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Recovery of a small ceramic sherd suggests occupation of the area by the Eastern Branch of the Jornada Mogollon, who occupied the area from around AD 200 to 1400. The various analyses are used to gain information regarding diet, specifically the plants processed, as well as general insight into the local vegetation. Charcoal samples from the feature fill were submitted for AMS radiocarbon dating to provide temporal information on site occupation. A total of seven radiocarbon dates were obtained.

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