POLLEN, PHYTOLITH, AND STARCH ANALYSIS OF SAMPLES FROM MONTE VERDE I, MONTE VERDE II, AND PAICAVI, CHILE

Five samples that included three pieces of groundstone, recovered from the buried surface of Stratum MV-7 in Area DW at Monte Verde II, dated to approximately 12,500 BP, were examined for pollen, phytoliths, and starch. Sediment also was collected from an ash/charcoal stain across the creek at Monte Verde I. It also was removed from Stratum MV-7, but was more deeply buried (1.3 m). A sample also was collected from a buried use surface in a ridged agricultural field at PaiCavi and was examined for pollen, phytolith and starch analyses. This area dates to approximately AD 1300.