POLLEN AND MACROFLORAL ANALYSES AT A LATE ALTITHERMAL SITE (48SW5175) IN SOUTHWESTERN WYOMING

Site 48SW5175 is a Late Altithermal site located approximately 5 miles
south of Rock Springs, Wyoming. The site is composed of a house pit
containing a slab-lined hearth, an exterior slab-lined hearth, numerous
small exterior hearths, a midden area, and several humic stains. Three
radiocarbon dates from this site indicate a date range of 3710 + 60 BP to
5130 ± 90 BP, with an intermediate date of 4310 + 200 BP. Pollen and
macrofloral analyses were undertaken at this site in an effort to define the
paleoenvironment and provide data concerning the vegetal portion of the
subsistence base. Stratigraphic samples were taken from acultural and
cultural deposits located in a midden area. Subsistence analysis at this
site relies primarily on sampling features and the floor of the house pit at
the site. Evidence of definable activity areas was sought in the pollen
record through sampling various locations on the house pit floor. A
definition of subsistence-related activity in the various slab-lined
hearths, pit features, and humic stains was also attempted through pollen
analysis.