POLLEN, MACROFLORAL, AND PROTEIN RESIDUE ANALYSIS OF SOIL AND ARTIFACTS FROM THE BEES NEST SITE (32ME175) , NORTH DAKOTA

Samples from proveniences associated with stone tipi rings at the Bees Nest Site (32ME175) , were analyzed for pollen and macrofloral remains. This site is a multicomponent site in west-central North Dakota, containing a minimum of 134 stone circles/arcs, 64 rock cairns, and 10 rock alignments. Pollen and macrofloral analyses are used to address subsistence activities at the site. In addition, flaked stone tools from this site were analyzed for possible blood proteins. Immunological studies have shown that blood residues from a tool's surface can be identified using modified forensic procedures. Blood residue analysis is used to supplement prehistoric subsistence information and possible artifact specificity.