POLLEN ANALYSIS, CHARCOAL, AND CORN IDENTIFICATION OF SAMPLES FROM THE BLUFF GREAT HOUSE, SITE 42SA22674, UTAH

Research at the Bluff Great House seeks to explore the relationship of this site to Chaco
Canyon, some 125 miles to the southwest. The Bluff Great House exhibits characteristics typical
of a Chacoan settlement, including an earthen berm that included trash midden deposits,
surrounding the Great House. Research questions focus on determining the relationship of the
Bluff Great House to Chaco Canyon, understanding the role of the Bluff Great House in the
Northern San Juan region, comparing the Chacoan era occupation in the Northern San Juan to
the rest of the Chacoan world, and examining diachronic changes in the Chacoan world.
Pollen analysis was undertaken on ten samples from the berm/midden and from the Great
House at 42SA22674, the Bluff Great House site. In addition, three vegetal samples were
examined for identification and/or description. One sample of probable charred meal was
subjected to chemical digestion to recover any phytoliths and/or starch granules that would
identify the source of the ground meal. The Bluff Great House site exhibited unique features
deserving of detailed archaeobotanic analysis. This study serves to identify potentials for further
analysis rather than to answer specific research questions.