POLLEN, STARCH, PARASITE, PHYTOLITH, MACROFLORAL, AND ORGANIC RESIDUE (FTIR) ANALYSIS, AND AMS RADIOCARBON DATING OF A SEDIMENT DEPOSIT FROM 35HP3548, SAGE HEN GAP SITE, OREGON

A soil sample from Feature 1, Level 13, at the Sagehen Gap Site in southeastern
Oregon was submitted for a suite of archaeobotanic analyses with the intention of identifying
the origin of this feature and obtaining charcoal for dating. Four fluted points have been
recovered at this site, and debitage was found in association with the gray colored, possibly
ashy sample submitted for analysis. It is thought that this feature might represent a burned
area, as the bedrock immediately below is much lighter than the surrounding bedrock and a
darker area, possibly charcoal, is located just above the feature. Pollen, starch, phytolith,
macrofloral, and FTIR analyses should provide information useful in the interpretation of this
feature and possibly the recovery of organic material for AMS radiocarbon dating. AMS
radiocarbon dating will answer questions concerning the age of the feature.