PROTEIN RESIDUE ANALYSIS OF FLAKED OBSIDIAN TOOLS FROM THE NORRIS CAMPGROUND SITE (48YE14), YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, WYOMING

Protein residue analysis was conducted on 10 obsidian flaked tools from the Norris Campground site (48YE14), located within Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. The site is located within the Norris Geyser Basin and is currently characterized by open timber stands. This site has been occupied periodically for approximately 9000 years and may have served primarily as a short-duration camp and obsidian biface production workshop. All of the submitted tools were excavated during the 1993 field season and have since been subjected to various analysis including XRF studies and thin-sectioning. It is reported that these tools have been carefully handled to minimize contamination. Soil control samples were not submitted with the tools. Protein residue analysis will be used to provide information concerning possible use of these tools to process animals.