AN ARCHAEOCLIMATIC MODEL AND POLLEN, PARASITE, PHYTOLlTH, AND PROTEIN RESIDUE ANALYSIS OF SAMPLES FROM SITES 3CT340 AND 3CT341, NORTHEASTERN ARKANSAS

Sites 3CT340 and 3CT341 are part of a large site complex located in eastern Arkansas'
Crittenden County. The Late Woodland/Emergent Mississippian prehistoric village sites are
located in the southern portion of the project area. Although neither of the sites had large lithic
assemblages, several cultural features were identified, including burials at both sites and a
cremation pit at site 3CT341. Thirteen pollen samples, ten of which also were examined for
parasites, were examined to provide evidence of local vegetation and also plants processed or
included with burials and/or cremations. Examination of samples for parasite eggs was
undertaken in an attempt to define the possible parasite load of the local population.
Additionally, a biface from site 3CT341 was submitted for protein residue analysis. Pollen and
protein residue analyses are used to provide information regarding possible plant and animal
resources available to the prehistoric individuals interned at these sites. In addition, an
archaeoclimatic model was constructed for this general area (based on the 1961-1990 climate
normals from Memphis, Tennessee) that examines modeled climatic parameters for the past
14,000 years in the area.