POLLEN, PARASITE, MACROFLORAL, AND ORGANIC RESIDUE (FTIR) ANALYSIS OF PRIVY FILL FROM THE SOLDIER PARK CAMP (AS-1941), UTAH

Fill from the bottom of a privy pit at Soldier Park camp, AS-1941, in northeast Utah was
examined for pollen, parasites, macrofloral remains, and organic residues using Fourier
Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). A modern control pollen sample was collected from
multiple locations across the site surface for comparison. This site is a Historic military camp
associated with construction of the Carter Military Road, built from 1881 to 1884 across the
Uinta Mountains between Ft. Bridger, Wyoming, and Ft. Thornburgh, Utah. Pollen and
macrofloral analyses will provide information concerning possible foods eaten by the historic
camp occupants and plants growing in the area during the time period represented. Parasite
analysis can provide some insight into the intestinal health of the people using the privy. FTIR
analysis of the feature fill will examine the sediments for evidence of proteins, lipids, and/or
carbohydrates.