POLLEN ANALYSIS AT SYSSIPHEUS SHELTER, 5GF110, IN WESTERN COLORADO

Palynological analysis at the Syssipheus Rockshelter (5GFIIO) was undertaken in conjunction with archaeological mitigation of the site in preparation for widening highway 1-70. The rockshelter is formed by a large boulder protruding from the ground; the occupied area being on the downhill side of the boulder. Pollen analysis of several stratigraphic columns overlapping in age was undertaken to define paleoenvironmental change in the vicinity of 5GFllO, Syssipheus Shelter. Several stratigraphic columns were sampled because the floor of the rockshelter sloped severely, thus a complete sampling of all levels for paleoenvironmental interpretation could not be obtained from a single column. This rockshelter contains evidence of occupation dating between 4400 and 520 BP, and is located at an elevation of approximately 5200 feet, one mile northwest of the Colorado River in Garfield County. The vegetation in the immediate vicinity of the site consists of Juniperus (juniper), Graminae (grasses), Atriplex (spiny saltbush), and Artemisia (sagebrush). Sarcobatus (greasewood) and Opuntia (prickly pear) are also noted in the vicinity of the site. A riparian habitat is found approximately one mile southeast of the site on the banks of the Colorado River.

为配合1-70号公路拓宽工程开展的遗址考古防护工作，研究人员对编号为5GFIIO的西弗西弗岩棚（Syssipheus Rockshelter）开展了孢粉分析（Palynological analysis）。该岩棚由一块突出地面的巨型漂砾构成，人类活动区域位于该漂砾的下坡一侧。
为明确西弗西弗岩棚周边区域的古环境变化，研究人员对多个年代重叠的地层剖面（stratigraphic columns）开展了孢粉分析。由于岩棚地面坡度极陡，无法通过单剖面完成全部层位的采样以支撑古环境解译，因此对多个地层剖面进行了取样。
该岩棚的人类活动遗存年代可追溯至距今4400至520年（Before Present，BP），海拔约5200英尺，位于美国科罗拉多州加菲尔德县境内，科罗拉多河西北侧约1英里处。
遗址周边的原生植被包括圆柏属（Juniperus，杜松）、禾本科（Graminae，草本植物）、滨藜属（Atriplex，多刺盐滨藜）以及蒿属（Artemisia，蒿灌丛）；此外还分布有肉叶刺茎藜属（Sarcobatus，肥木）和仙人掌属（Opuntia，梨果仙人掌）。
遗址东南约1英里的科罗拉多河沿岸存在河岸生境。