POLLEN AND MACROFLORAL ANALYSIS FOR THE CORONADO RAILROAD PROJECT, NORTHEASTERN ARIZONA

Three sites near Navajo, Arizona, were examined for their pollen and macrofloral remains as part of the Coronado Railroad Project. Occupations at AZ K:14:32 (ASM) and AZ K:14:33 (ASM) included primarily Basketmaker III and Pueblo I, while the occupation at AZ K:14:35 (ASM) represents Pueblo II. Pollen and macrofloral samples were examined from a variety of features both inside and outside pithouses to define the subsistence base at these sites. In addition, the pollen record assists in identifying basic vegetation present at the time of occupation.

An area including a possible agricultural field was sampled for pollen and phytoliths in stratigraphic profiles collected from backhoe trench walls at AZ Q:2:35 (ASM). Pollen and phytolith analysis focused on identifying remains that might corroborate use of this area as an agricultural field. Control samples were examined from AZ Q:2:34 (ASM). Three features were also noted and sampled for pollen, phytoliths, and macrofloral remains. Feature 3, a rock cluster, represents a prehistoric surface, while Features 2 and 4 are pits. Paleoethnobotanic analyses of these features attempts to identify any plant processing.