MACROFLORAL ANALYSIS AT NINE SITES FOR THE PGT-PG&E PIPELINE EXPANSION PROJECT, OREGON

Samples from nine sites for the PGT-PG&E Pipeline Expansion Project in northern
and central Oregon were examined for macrofloral remains. Charred macrofloral
remains recovered from the archaeological sites will provide information
concerning resources available to and utilized by the prehistoric (and some
historic) occupants of the site, will aid in providing evidence for the
interpretation of subsistence, feature function and season of use. In addition
to general questions concerning prehistoric hunter-gatherer land-use strategies,
specific research questions for the region discussed here include the following
questions:
1. What plant resources are represented in botanical assemblages of
different ages and functions? can some sites by their locations, artifact
assemblages, or botanical remains be identified as functionally specific root
digging sites?
2. Does evidence exist for trade in food items?
3. Are environmental changes reflected in changing proportions of wood
charcoal species in prehistoric sites?