POLLEN, STARCH, PHYTOLITH, BOTANIC IDENTIFICATION, AND ORGANIC RESIDUE (FTIR) ANALYSES OF SAMPLES FROM THE LEVEE (12D363) AND KELLER (12D509) SITES, DEARBORN COUNTY, INDIANA

Six ceramic sherds from the Levee (12D363) and Keller (12D509) sites in Dearborn County, Indiana, were submitted for ceramic and organic residue analyses. Also submitted for phytolith, starch, and organic residue analyses were fill samples recovered from multiple layers of nine thermal features at the sites, including pit hearths and hearth dumps. Control samples associated with each feature also were examined for phytoliths and organic residues. In addition, charred parenchymous tissue samples recovered from a pit hearth, a smudge pit, and a postmold at the Levee Site (12D363) were submitted for botanic identification, starch, and organic residue analyses. Organic residues will be examined using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Ceramic and organic residue analysis of the ceramic sherds will be used to provide information regarding foods and other materials processed and/or contained in the vessels, while phytolith, starch, botanical identification, and organic residue analysis of the hearth fill samples and charred parenchymous tissue will be used to provide information regarding feature use over time, food processing, and change in materials utilized by the inhabitants of the sites.