POLLEN, STARCH, PHYTOLITH, PROTEIN RESIDUE, AND ORGANIC RESIDUE (FTIR) ANALYSIS OF A PESTLE FROM THE HIGH BAR CACHE SITE (10IH3488), IDAHO

A pestle from the High Bar Cache site (10IH3488) in Hells Canyon, Idaho, was submitted for pollen, starch, phytolith, protein, and organic residue analyses. The sample was tested for organic residues using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). An AMS radiocarbon date of 525 ± 15 RCYBP had previously been obtained for fragments of inner cedar bark from a woven mat and a large bundle of bark included with this cache (Puseman 2010). Pollen, starch, phytolith, protein, and organic residue analyses provide information regarding possible plants and/or animals processed using the pestle.