PHYTOLITH AND STARCH ANALYSIS OF SAMPLES FROM SITES 20OT283 AND 20OT3, OTTAWA COUNTY, MICHIGAN

A total of 22 soil samples from various pit contexts were submitted for phytolith and starch analysis with one ceramic fragment submitted for ceramic residue analysis from sites 20OT283 and 20OT3, located in west-central lower Ottawa County, Michigan (Table 1). A total of 9 radiocarbon dates associated with these sites place the timing of the most intensive periods of use in the Late Woodland (Prehistoric) period (Table 2). These sites are thought to represent large resource acquisition, processing, and storage areas that were used throughout the prehistoric period, though the most intensive period of use took place during the Late Prehistoric period. The main goal of the phytolith and starch analysis was to better understand the nature and function of these Late Prehistoric storage or cache pits in Michigan. An ancillary goal was to provide subsistence information concerning plant resources utilized by the occupants at these sites.