MACROFLORAL ANALYSIS AND AMS RADIOCARBON DATING OF CHARRED MATERIAL FROM A HEARTH AT SITE 48WE1650, WYOMING

Fine, powdery ash from the bottom of a shallow pit found in the middle of a bladed dirt road at site 48WE1650 in Weston County, eastern Wyoming, was floated to recover charcoal and other charred macrofloral remains. This pit is believed to represent a hearth. Macrofloral analysis was examined the sample for evidence of charcoal, coal, or a mixture of the two, as well as to find charred material for AMS radiocarbon dating. Recovery of both charcoal and coal in the feature fill and a Holocene radiocarbon age would reflect burning both coal and wood by the prehistoric occupants of the site. Two radiocarbon dates were obtained for charred stem fragments and charcoal recovered from the hearth fill.