MACROFLORAL ANALYSIS FROM SITE LA 128608, AN ISOLATED HEARTH LOCATED NEAR LOCO HILLS, SOUTHEASTERN NEW MEXICO

A macrobotanical sample from site LA128608 was sent for analysis and identification. The site is an isolated hearth located near Loco Hills, New Mexico. The upper portion of the feature has likely been destroyed by road construction and subsequent vehicle traffic. Archaeologists sampled the entire hearth, which resulted in a sample encompassing 25 liters. A C-14 sample, extracted from the hearth, yielded a calibrated date ranging from BP 4,410 to 3,975. Depending on sample size, level of preservation, and rate of deposition, the use of macrobotanical analysis will provide a clearer assessment of plant resources that were available to and utilized by occupants at the site.