PROTEIN RESIDUE AND FTIR ANALYSIS OF MATERIALS FROM TUSCARORA CREEK, THE HENRY SITE (36JU113) AND THE GRONINGER SITE (36JU15), PENNSYLVANIA

Lithic artifacts from sites 36JU15 (the Groninger Site) and 36JU113 (the Henry Site)
were examined for possible protein residues. In addition, a nutting stone and an axe from
36JU15 were examined using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry (FTIR). These sites are
located along Tuscarora Creek in southern Pennsylvania. Primary occupations during the Late
Archaic (ca. 1500 BC) to the Late Woodland (ca. AD 1000-1250) were noted at the Groninger
Site. In addition, more limited evidence for an Early Woodland (ca. 800 BC) occupation was
recovered. The primary occupations at the Henry Site are during the late Early and early Middle
Archaic (ca. 7500-6500 BC). Artifacts recovered for analysis at both sites are from non-feature
contexts. Protein residue analysis will be used to provide information concerning possible use
of these artifacts to process animals. FTIR analysis will examine the nutting stone and axe for
evidence of proteins, oils, lipids, and/or carbohydrates.