Macrofloral and Pollen Analysis, and Botanical Identificatino of Samples from Sites Along the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project in San Juan County and Navajo Nation Land, New Mexico

The Cutter Lateral is one of the major pipelines comprising the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project (NGWSP) located in San Juan County and Navajo Nation land in northwestern New Mexico. A total of 51 features from 13 sites (LA178231, LA147736, LA171407, LA45824, NM-G-30-51, LA36578, LA156932, LA179182, NM-G-43-49, NM-G-34-56, NM-G-43-55, NM-G-34-48, and NM-G-34-46) encountered along three segments (Reach 22A, 22B, 21) of the Cutter Lateral and an off-site trench (BHT9) were sampled for macrofloral analysis (47 samples) and botanic identification (7 samples) to recover and identify charred botanics and charcoal, providing information on food, fuel, and construction activities of prehistoric occupants of this region. Identification also indicates charred remains suitable for possible AMS radiocarbon age determination based on species or plant part longevity, prioritizing annuals (seeds, fruits, nuts etc.), followed by charcoal from twigs and/or short-lived species. In addition, four unburned features from Site LA178231 were examined for pollen.