MACROFLORAL ANALYSIS AND AMS RADIOCARBON DATING OF A HEARTH FEATURE FILL SAMPLE FROM SITE C1-M-1, KERN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

Site C1-M-1 is situated in the high desert region of Antelope Valley in the westernmost portion of the Mojave Desert, Kern County, California. A hearth feature excavated at this prehistoric site yielded fire-affected rock, charcoal, lithic debitage, and bone remains (Robert Ramirez, personal communication June 12, 2014). A soil sample, collected beneath the main cluster of fire-affected rocks in the center of the hearth feature, was submitted for macrofloral analysis to provide information about floral remains used by the site occupants, and to select the most suitable charred floral remains for AMS radiocarbon age determination to identify the period of occupation.