MACROFLORAL ANALYSIS, FOURIER TRANSFORM INFRARED SPECTROMETRY (FTIR), AND AMS RADIOCARBON DATING FOR SITES CA-SBR-5568/H, CA-SBR-10073, CA-SBR-10074, CA-SBR-10075, CA-SBR-10078, AND CA-SBR-12464, FOR THE BALDY MESA OHV SURVEY, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Samples from features at sites CA-SBR-5568/H, CA-SBR-10073, CA-SBR-10074, CASBR-10075, CA-SBR-10078, and CA-SBR-12464 in southern California were processed for macrofloral remains and examined using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry (FTIR). In addition, charcoal from CA-SBR-5568/H was submitted for AMS radiocarbon analysis. Sites CA-SBR-10073, CA-SBR-10074, and CA-SBR-10075 represent prehistoric vegetation processing and lithic reduction activity areas that appear to have been seasonally and repeatedly occupied for plant gathering and processing activities, while sites CA-SBR-5568/H and CA-SBR-10078 reflect prehistoric artifact scatters with features. These five sites are believed to represent Archaic occupations of the area. Site CA-SBR-12464 consists of one thermal feature and four lithic artifacts. Macrofloral analysis will be used to provide subsistence information concerning plant resources utilized by the various occupants of these sites. FTIR analysis of the feature fill will examine the sediments for evidence of proteins, lipids, and/or carbohydrates.