POLLEN, PHYTOLITH, AND PROTEIN RESIDUE ANALYSIS OF ARTIFACTS FROM THE 4S RANCH PROJECT, CALIFORNIA

Artifacts from eight sites in the 4S Ranch Project in San Diego County, southern California were analyzed for pollen, phytoliths, or protein residues. Column samples also were floated to recover charred macrofloral remains. The project area is located on the first range of hills rising above the Pacific Ocean and contains over 20 archaeological sites. Soil samples from these sites yielded uncalibrated conventional radiocarbon dates ranging from 7400 + 140 BP to 300 + 60 BP. The project area appears to have experienced several occupations. pollen, phytolith, and protein residue analyses will be used to provide information concerning possible plant and animal resources processed using the various artifacts. Charred plant remains recovered during macrofloral analysis also will lend insight into plant resources utilized by the site occupants. These analyses will aid in identifying possible changes in use of the project area over time for quarrying and subsistence pursuits.

对美国加利福尼亚州南部圣迭戈县4S牧场项目（4S Ranch Project）8处遗址出土的器物，开展了花粉、植硅体（phytoliths）及蛋白质残留物分析。研究人员同时对柱样进行浮选处理，以回收炭化大植物遗存。该项目区域坐落于濒临太平洋的第一列丘陵地带，区内分布有20余处考古遗址。从这些遗址采集的土壤样本经检测，获得未校正常规放射性碳年代数据，范围为7400±140 BP至300±60 BP。该区域曾存在多期人类居住与活动遗存。本次花粉、植硅体及蛋白质残留物分析，将用于揭示各类器物所加工处理的潜在动植物资源相关信息。大植物遗存分析中获取的炭化植物遗存，也将为解析遗址居民所利用的植物资源提供参考依据。上述各项分析将助力厘清该项目区域随时间推移在采石与生计活动方面的利用方式变迁。