POLLEN AND PHYTOLITH ANALYSIS FOR SITES 48YE449, 48YE454, AND 48YE1, YELLOWSTONE, WYOMING

Site 48YE449 and 48YE454 are located at the mouth of Arnica Creek, which
flows into the northern portion of West Thumb, Yellowstone Lake. Site 48YE1, the
Fishing Bridge Site, is located along the Yellowstone River at the north edge of
Yellowstone Lake. Both buried and surface fired rock features were noted and
sampled for pollen and phytolith analysis from 48YE449. These features are
presently located within a meadow along the lake shore. Pollen and phytolith
analysis were undertaken to identify vegetation present at the time of use of
these features, as well as to identify subsistence activity within the features.
Pollen and phytolith samples were also examined from modern vegetation at 48YE449
and 48YE1 to establish expected signatures for local vegetation communities.
Stratigraphic samples from each site were also examined to provide temporal
evidence of vegetation and possible changes in the vegetation community between
the time of prehistoric use of the features and the present. One important
question to be addressed by the phytolith analysis is whether the present meadows
are a recent artifact or are a long-term feature of the lake shore. Identifying
vegetation present at the time features were used will assist in interpreting the
settlement model.