IDENTIFICATION OF CHARCOAL AND EXAMINATION OF BULK SOIL FOR RADIOCARBON DATABLE MATERIAL FROM THE ISLAND OF TINIAN

Pit fill samples from sites on Tinian Island in the Northern Marianas Islands were examined for macrofloral remains. Charred remains from the fill samples were submitted for AMS radiocarbon dating. Charcoal/botanic samples also were submitted for identification and radiocarbon dating. The sites were excavated as part of the Reconstruction of Route 202 with Drainage Improvements Project and date mostly to the Latte Period (A.D. 1000-1600) (Pietrusewsky et al. 2011). Macrofloral analysis is used to provide information concerning plants processed in the hearths and woods burned as fuel, while AMS radiocarbon dating will provide additional temporal information for this area.