POLLEN AND MACROFLORAL ANALYSIS OF HEARTHS FROM 48SW2358 AND 48SW2360, SOUTHWESTERN WYOMING

Pollen and macrofloral samples were collected from features at two
sites in Sweetwater County, Wyoming in conjunction with archaeological
mitigation. These sites are located approximately 8 miles north of Point of
Rocks, Wyoming, or 2 miles west of the Jim Bridger Power Plant. Sites
48SW2358 and 48SW2360 are located in upland settings separated by an
intermittent drainage. These sites appear to represent a more or less
continuous distribution of features and artifacts. Site 48SW2360 represents
the central resource exploitation area, while 48SW2358 may have been a
peripheral area (D. McGuire, personal communication, December 11, 1985).
The vegetation in the vicinity of these two sites is dominated by saltbush
(Atriplex--a Cheno-am) and sagebrush (Artemisia). The features were sampled
for pollen and macrofloral remains in an effort to define cultural
activities at the sites. The features range in age from 1040 to 5670 BP,
representing a series of discrete occupations from the Archaic to the Late
Prehistoric.