MACROFLORAL AND PROTEIN RESIDUE ANALYSIS OF SAMPLES FROM SITES IN THE OFF-ROAD VEHICLE AREA, EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, CALIFORNIA

Feature fill, charcoal, or lithic artifacts were recovered from seven sites in the Off-Road Vehicle area at Edwards Air Force Base in southern California. These sites are being evaluated for eligibility to the National Register of Historic Places. Macrofloral analysis of fill from two hearths is used to provide information concerning possible plant resources processed in the hearths. Charcoal recovered from a test unit will be identified to determine types of wood burned as fuel. Lithic artifacts will be analyzed for possible protein residues to provide information concerning prehistoric use of these artifacts for resource processing. Protein residue analysis is able to detect animal proteins, as well as agave/yucca.