POLLEN ANALYSIS AT THE INDIAN MOUNTAIN SITE (5BL876), BOULDER COUNTY, COLORADO

Pollen analysis was undertaken in conjunction with the archaeological
mitigation of six tipi rings in Boulder County, Colorado. The Indian
Mountain site (5BL876) is located on the Dakota hogback approximately 6
miles east of Lyons and 1 mile north of st. Vrain Creek. The site is
situated in a clearing where the vegetation consists primarily of grasses,
yucca, and prickly pear cactus. The surrounding vegetation also includes
ponderosa pine and oak brush to the northwest of the site. This area has
never been cultivated, but has been used to graze cattle. Pollen analysis
of several samples from Ring 4 and the hearth of Ring 3 was focused on the
identification of subsistence materials that may have been present, as well
as the identification of the native vegetation in the area at the time the
site was occupied. Radiocarbon dates were obtained from two of the tipi
rings from this site. Tipi Ring 4 dated to 2140 BP +/- 200 (410 BC to AD 25),
while the hearth of Tipi Ring 3 dated to 1120 BP +/- 200 (AD 640 to 1050).