PALYNOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS IN THE CURECANTI BASIN, COLORADO

Test excavations were conducted by the National Park Service in the Curecanti National Recreation Area in Colorado during the summers of 1978 and 1979. Analysis of 30 pollen samples from six different prehistoric sites was undertaken in conjunction with the test excavations at Curecanti during 1979 to determine the significance of some of the archaeological sites in the area. This data will also be compared with the data generated by the analysis of pollen samples from the 1978 field season. The sites analyzed for pollen data during the two year period include a cave, 5GN189, which was test excavated and sampled for pollen at 10 cm. intervals; 5GN191, a series of firepits; 5GN205, a wickiup-like structure; 5GN206, a trash area; 5GN212; 5GN10, a scattered site along a ridge containing multiple dwellings and firepits; and 5GN247, a probable trash area. Analysis of pollen samples from these archeological sites was undertaken to provide environmental data where possible, and to search for culturally significant changes in the pollen record in areas of human activity.