POLLEN, PHYTOLITH, MACROFLORAL, AND PROTEIN RESIDUE ANALYSES AT FOUR SITES ON NAVAJO ROUTE N2007, APACHE COUNTY, NORTHEAST ARIZONA

Soil samples from four sites along Navajo Route N2007 in Apache County, northeastern Arizona, were sampled for pollen, phytolith, and macrofloral remains. Groundstone and lithic artifacts were washed to recover pollen, phytoliths, and possible protein residues. Sites AZ-P-61-123 (Ciudad de Viento) and AZ-P-61-125 (Folsom House) were complex cultural habitations with numerous features. Ceramics from Site AZ-P-61-123 suggest an early Pueblo II to Pueblo III occupation, and Site AZ-P-61-125 ceramics suggest occupation early in the Pueblo III period. Site AZ-P-61-126 (Empty Pockets) contained two features and brownwares that date this site to the early Basketmaker II period. Five features were recovered at Site AZ-P-61-127 (Three-Corner House), and exuberant corrugated sherds at this site suggest an early Pueblo II occupation. Pollen, phytolith, and macrofloral analyses are used to address questions of subsistence. These analyses can reveal what plants were utilized at these sites, including agricultural and native resources. Protein residue analysis is used to provide prehistoric faunal subsistence information and possible artifact specificity.