POLLEN AND DIATOM ANALYSIS FOR THE KOBLER PROJECT, SAIPAN

Nineteen additional pollen and two diatom samples were collected from trenches 2 and 3 at Kobler-2. Previous pollen analysis examined pollen from stratigraphic layers in Trench 1 (Cummings 1999), providing information concerning prehistoric vegetation in the area near Lake Susupi. Radiocarbon ages of that study indicate the record included sediments that accumulated prior to AD 260-560 until the historic era. Stratigraphic pollen samples from Trenches 2 and 3 examine sediments to the northeast and southwest of Trench 1. Radiocarbon ages from Trench 2 indicate a pollen record between 625-980 AD and modern. For Trench 3 radiocarbon ages indicate a pollen record beginning prior to 795-1000 AD and ending after 1445-1645 AD. Two diatom samples from Layer III in Trench 3 examine sediments relatively low in the column.