MACROFLORAL ANALYSIS AND AMS RADIOCARBON DATING, OF TWO HEARTHS FROM SITE 48HO375, RED CANYON RANCH, WYOMING

Two hearths eroding out of a cut bank along Red Canyon Creek at site 48HO375 on the
Red Canyon Ranch near Thermopolis, Wyoming, were examined for evidence of cooking.
Macrofloral samples were collected from each of the hearths for recovery of charred material
representing fuel and plants that were processed. A piece of fire-cracked rock with rounded
edges that was identified as a possible mano in the field was recovered from the hearth at the
Finger Pasture. Laboratory examination revealed that this cobble had been burned. Therefore,
analysis of this tool was restricted to recovery of organic molecules for identification using
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). In addition, fill from both hearths also was
subjected to analysis for organic molecules using the FTIR. AMS radiocarbon dates were
obtained for both features, documenting occupations during the Late Archaic and Late
Prehistoric eras.