POLLEN AND PHYTOLITH ANALYSIS OF SEDIMENT SAMPLES AND AMS RADIOCARBON DATING OF THE FOLSOM BLOCK AT THE BLACKWATER DRAW LOCALITY AND FROST ARROYO, NEW MEXICO

Summary

The Blackwater Draw Locality on the llano estacado in northeastern New Mexico has been the focus of archaeological study intermittently over the past several decades. Analysis including both pollen and phytolith proxy records was undertaken to provide paleoenvironmental information for time periods it spanning from the Folsom occupation into post-occupational sediments. Four localities within this area were selected for the initial testing. In part, this testing was exploratory in nature to provide information concerning pollen and phytolith preservation and recovery from the sediments at this locality. Provided that good pollen and phytolith preservation and recovery were observed, the specific goals in examining these sediments were to obtain proxy records for climate change in the past. Understanding these intervals of climate change in the past is relevant to modern global warming. In specific, evidence for surface water and local ecology was sought in these samples. The sediments selected for analysis span the timescale between approximately 12,000 and 8000 years ago. After observing large quantities of microscopic charcoal in sediments from the Folsom Block microcharcoal was recovered and dated.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• PaleoResearch Institute

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): PaleoResearch Institute

File Information