POLLEN AND MACROFLORAL ANALYSIS AT LA 72859, NEW MEXICO

Pollen and macrofloral samples were collected from LA 72859, a Late El Paso phase site located a few miles southeast of the White Sands Missile Range Headquarters in the Tularosa Basin. Pollen samples represent four pieces of groundstone and a core fragment washed for pollen and a single soil sample. All of the pollen and some of the macrofloral samples were collected from a Late El Paso phase house that probably burned. The macrofloral samples represent the floor of the structure, a midden associated with the structure, and several other areas. Paleobotanic studies were undertaken to obtain information concerning subsistence at this site, as well as to identify elements of the local vegetation.