SUBSISTENCE RECONSTRUCTION AT FOUR SITES ALONG THE JOHNSON CANYON ROAD, SOUTHWESTERN COLORADO: THE POLLEN RECORD

Pollen analysis was undertaken at five prehistoric sites within the Mancos Canyon Historical District in conjunction with archaeological mitigation. These five sites lie in the right-of-way of UMU Route 206, Montezuma County, Colorado. The sites are located on the mesatop south of Johnson Canyon. The present environment in the vicinity of these sites has been altered considerably within the past 30 years due to chaining activities. This area was probably covered by a moderately dense stand of pinyon/juniper similar to that noted in the vicinity of 5MT2823 today. The present vegetation on the mesatop is dominated by sagebrush (Artemisia). Other vegetation noted includes rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus--a High-spine Compositae), aster (a High-spine Compositae), yucca (Yucca), mormon tea (Ephedra), ragweed (Ambrosia), cocklebur (Xanthium), and some pinyon (Pinus edulis) and juniper (Juniperus). Pollen analysis at these sites was directed toward the recovery of subsistence data and the identification of subsistence activity areas within these sites. Pollen analysis addresses the utilization of plant resource by prehistoric peoples by examining the relative abundance of pollen obtained from previous proveniences. Utilization of ethnographic and/or ethnohistoric records is also important in identifying resources that may have been used by the indigenous people. Information obtained from this source may be useful in examining the prehistoric record. Consistency in sampling the floors of the various structures allows for comparison of the pattern of distribution of pollen from economically important plants between structures as well as between sites. In addition, comparison of the pollen record from these sites with other sites excavated to the north of Mesa Verde in the Dolores Valley is also facilitated through the pollen sampling design.