POLLEN AND MACROFLORAL ANALYSIS OF SAMPLES FROM SITES 48FR3317 AND 48FR3318, CENTRAL WYOMING

Pollen and macrofloral samples were collected and analyzed from Sites
48FR3317 and 48FR3318. These two sites are located in central Wyoming on the south side of a natural gap or pass through the Bridger Mountains to the west and the Bighorns to the east. The majority of the samples were concentrated in or around Feature 1 at Site 48FR3317. Feature 1 is a deep charcoal and rock-filled pit that is currently believed to be a roasting pit feature. A radiocarbon age
on charcoal from the bottom of the pit of 1290 ± 60 BP and a projectile point
found on the site suggest this feature is Late Prehistoric. Only one pollen and
one macrofloral sample were collected at Site 48FR3318. These samples were taken from a buried lens of charcoal that has an associated radiocarbon age of 4640 ± 110 BP. A few chipped stone artifacts, including a flake scraper found in the same stratum, suggest that this feature is cultural in nature. Pollen and
macrofloral analysis are used to provide information concerning possible plant
resources processed in Feature 1 at Site 48FR3317 and associated with the
charcoal-stained layer at Site 48FR3318.