PHYTOLITH, STARCH, AND ORGANIC RESIDUE (FTIR) ANALYSIS AND AMS RADIOCARBON DATING OF FOOD RESIDUE ON VESSEL FRAGMENTS FROM 10TF2130

A nearly complete Shoshone Intermountain Ware flat-bottomed jar from site 10TF2130, located in the Auger Falls locality along the Snake River in Twin Falls, Idaho, was inverted on a large Bonneville Flood boulder supported by two natural rock spalls and a large percussion flake. A polished stone was noted downhill from the vessel beneath a boulder. Four small interior pottery sherd fragments exfoliated from this vessel were submitted for AMS radiocarbon dating and phytolith, starch, and organic residue (FTIR) analysis. Due to the fact that this vessel was deteriorating, analysis was deemed to be an immediate need. The fact that the vessel was positioned upside down increases the likelihood that residues that had soaked into the fabric of the sherd and remained within the charred residue were available for recovery and analysis to provide information regarding the vessel’s function, since this position provides some protection for the interior of the vessel.