PALYNOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS AT DEBEQUE ROCKSHELTER (SME82) IN WESTERN COLORADO

Palynological analysis at the DeBeque Rockshelter (SME82) in western Colorado was undertaken in conjunction with archaeological mitigation of the site. The pollen samples were taken from most of the levels identified in the fill from four grid locations within the rockshelter, and are combined to form a composite pollen diagram. The pollen samples were taken from both cultural and sterile levels,
but no pollen samples were taken in direct association with cultural features such as hearths. The long, dated sequence of sediments from this rockshelter (5090 B.C. to 610 B.C.) provides an excellent opportunity to observe any changes in the paleoenvironment and to note long-term trends, which may correlate with other paleoclimatic studies in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and with a geological study of the sediments in this rockshelter. In addition to paleoenvironmental information, evidence was sought of the utilization of local flora by the inhabitants
of this rockshelter.