POLLEN AND MACROFLORAL ANALYSIS AT THE BESSIE BOTTOMS SITE (48UT1186) SOUTHWEST WYOMING

The Bessie Bottoms Site is a multi-component Late Prehistoric site located in the extreme southwestern corner of Wyoming. Situated at the northern edge of the foothills on the north side of the Uinta Mountain range, this site lies at an elevation of 7210 ft. within the Bear River drainage system. Pollen samples were collected from a stratigraphic column to assess the paleoenvironment in this area, as well as from features to examine the subsistence base. In addition, seeds were removed from flotation samples and identified to augment the interpretation of subsistence activities at this site. This site exhibits evidence of two components, dating to 1170 + 60 BP and 910 ± 80 BP. The primary activity of this site appears to be associated with butchering animals and rendering meat and bone.