POLLEN AND PHYTOLITH ANALYSIS OF COPROLITE SAMPLES FROM YAKUTIA, RUSSIA AND THE PONTATOC RIDGE SHELTER, ARIZONA, USA

Dung from locations in Arizona and Russia were submitted for pollen and phytolith analysis. Pontatoc Ridge Shelter exhibited a surface mat dating approximately 14,000 yr BP. Dung recovered from a pica nest in permafrost in association with Pleistocene-age mammals such as mammoth and rhino. Analysis of microscopic remains (pollen and phytoliths) was undertaken to identify local vegetation at the time each of these dung deposits accumulated.