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Twenty pollen samples collected from seven cores were examined to provide a stratigraphic record of vegetation. In addition, charcoal from three of the pollen samples were radiocarbon dated to provide date context for Cores 4, 15, and 16.

Site 1CS365 was excavated as part of work on the Lowman Pipeline. This multicomponent site includes both a Native American artifact scatter, representing a Late Gulf Formational to Late Woodland occupation, and a twentieth-century railroad bed of the AT&N railroad. Three features were sampled for macrofloral and AMS radiocarbon analyses, the latter to establish the time periods of use.

The Topliff Fault is a north-trending fault zone in the Rush Valley of Tooele County, Utah. Geological research along the fault at the Topliff Hill Site aims to better understand prehistoric earthquakes. In association with ongoing research, samples were submitted for bulk sediment analysis and AMS radiocarbon age determination, with the goal of providing a timeline of earthquakes at the fault.

Mr. Warren Crump provided PaleoResearch Institute access to a painting supposedly depicting Pope Julius II (AD 1443–1513) to determine when the artwork was produced. In addition, PaleoResearch performed an XRF scan of the artwork to identify elements of the pigments used in painting. During the course of radiocarbon age determination, PaleoResearch removed paint and other chemicals present on the linen prior to dating.

Site 24DW0560 is a buried lithic scatter or temporary camp located in Dawson County, Montana, approximately 10.5 km west of the town of Lindsay. Twenty-one samples were submitted for a variety of analyses to better understand resource use among prehistoric huntergatherer populations. Eight lithic samples were submitted for protein analysis. Of the seven rock and sediment samples collected from fire-cracked rock (FCR) features, three were submitted for FTIR analysis, one for macrofloral, one for macrofloral and protein control, and two for macrofloral and AMS age determination. In addition, one feature-fill sample was submitted for macrofloral analysis and as a protein control, two FCR samples were submitted for FTIR analysis, and three uncharred bone samples were submitted for AMS age determination on collagen.

Sites 24ME163 and 24ME1105 are lithic scatters located along Sheep Creek in the Little Belt Mountains of the Northern Rocky Mountains, Meagher County, Montana. Recent excavations at the sites discovered hearth features at both sites and numerous fire-cracked rock (FCR) at Site 24ME163 (Lynn Peterson, personal communication, July 23, 2019). Hearth feature fill recovered at Site 24ME163 was submitted for macrofloral analysis and AMS radiocarbon age determination. Charcoal samples recovered from a hearth at Site 24ME1105 were submitted for identification and AMS radiocarbon age determination.

A hearth feature excavated at Site 27-GR-236 is located along the Pemigewassat River near the town of Plymouth in Grafton County, New Hampshire. Artifacts observed in association with the hearth suggest affiliation with Early Woodland cultures (Mark Doperalski, personal communication, August 26, 2019). Charcoal collected from the feature was submitted for AMS radiocarbon age determination to assess whether the hearth is indeed prehistoric and what species were used in the hearth.

No abstract released.

In Minnesota, understanding ceramic periods of prehistory and their attendant subsistence practices is of critical importance. Our previous study (Scott Cummings 2017) indicates that problems with radiocarbon dates on ceramics are not unique to this period. Instead, the entire prehistoric record is affected. The natural Minnesota landscape contributes dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and organic carbon (DOC), confounding efforts to create a clean radiocarbon record. When graphing all dates from Minnesota the oldest dates are on bones. This trend generally holds true whether investigating individual sites with multiple dates, cultures, or regions of the state. This is particularly obvious when examining the dates on bones obtained from stratigraphic deposits at LaMoille (21WN1). At that site dates on both bone collagen and burned bone appear to be too old. Therefore, one of the first steps involved in evaluating bone ages is to date calcined bones to compare with the previously-obtained dates on bone collagen and burned bones at LaMoille. In addition, modern reference bones, other body parts, and aquatic plants, as well as sediment, were dated to observe any offsets present. Specifically, catfish, aquatic plant, aquatic grass, and lake sediment, all from Albert Lea Lake, were examined as reference material. Animal bones from modern populations include two bison samples (one vertebra and one horn core), muskrat bones from three lakes, and bones of “known” age from historic deposits at Historic Fort Snelling (21HE99) that included a human phalanx from a ca. 1904 fill and a bison bone from a latrine deposit expected to represent AD 1825–1835. This expands the efforts examining reference samples (fish and wild rice) as part of the previous study (Scott Cummings 2017) that produced dates offset from the time of collection. Given the previously identified anomalies, additional samples were submitted to answer specific questions on a site-by-site basis. Six archaeological sites including Historic Fort Snelling, LaMoille, Blazing Star Shore (21FE76), the Preece Site (21BL26), the Crace Site (21ML3), and the Wilford Site (21ML12) had curated remains that were submitted for this study. These populations of modern materials and archaeological sites are discussed separately below. The unifying theme to this study is pursuit of information concerning recovery of concurrent or discrepant dates from stratigraphic or feature proveniences where more than one type of material was available to date. When possible, radiocarbon ages were obtained for short-lived botanics, charcoal, bones, and charred food crust from archaeological settings. Expansion of the radiocarbon database to include dates on this variety of remains is the first step in creating better site and regional chronologies.

Site IO-544 comprises a scatter of burnt caliche and stain that likely represent a hearth feature situated on a low dunal ridge in the Tularosa Basin region of Sierra County, New Mexico. Epsilon Systems Solutions recorded and collected a sediment sample from Site IO-544 during archaeological investigation of the White Sands Missile Range Rhodes Canyon project. Epsilon submitted the collected sediment sample to PaleoResearch Institute for macrofloral analysis and AMS radiocarbon age determination. From the sediment sample, Epsilon seeks both to verify the interpretation of the stain as a hearth and to indicate possible cultural affiliations.

Locality 7842-2 is an eroded stain in the middle of a two-track near the town of Douglas in Converse County, Wyoming (John Greer, personal communication, 12 June 2019). One sediment sample was submitted for macrofloral analysis and AMS radiocarbon age determination.

Site 34MC1149 is located on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers fee-owned lands at Pine Creek Lake, 21 km northeast of the town of Fort Towson, Oklahoma. When the site was occupied in the Late Sanders (ca. AD 1200–1300) and McCurtain phases (ca. AD 1300–1700), it was situated on an upland landform overlooking the Little River Valley (Shannon R. Ryan, personal communication, January 21, 2019). R. Christopher Goodwin & Associates (RCG&A) submitted a nearly complete ceramic vessel (Sample 1) to PaleoResearch Institute for ceramic residue, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and radiocarbon age determination analyses. Through these analyses, RCG&A aims to: 1. Determine the presence of residue on the ceramic in extractable quantities; 2. Understand vessel use; 3. Learn about foods used in the vessel, if any, and; 4. Reveal affiliation with local cultural contexts via age determination.

The Warm Springs Valley Fault is a strike-slip fault in the northern Walker Lane, Washoe County, Nevada. In the autumn of 2018, a team from the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) opened a trench across the Warm Springs Valley Fault. The objectives of the UNR geologists is to better understand the timing and recurrences of earthquakes related to the fault. Three sediment samples (Samples WSV_C14#11, WSV_C14#10, and WSV_C14#9) were submitted to PaleoResearch Institute by UNR to recover charcoal for AMS radiocarbon age determination, with the goal of providing a timeline of earthquakes at the fault.

Samples from the Scoggins/Gates Fault Study in Washington County, Oregon were submitted to PaleoResearch Institute for analysis and recovery of appropriate charred materials for radiocarbon age determination. Twenty bulk and fifteen detrital charcoal samples were submitted for identification. In addition, two sediment samples from sag pond deposits were submitted for pollen analysis. Due to budgetary constraints, none of the charcoal was processed for radiocarbon dating at PaleoResearch Institute.

Swallow Shelter (5JF331) is located in the foothills of the Colorado Front Range. Nestled in the hogback area, the surrounding vegetation includes Gambel's oak (Quercus gambelii), grasses, and forbs. Excavation over the period of years has yielded numerous artifacts, including a collection of decorated burned and calcined bone. A portion of one of the decorated, calcined bone fragments was selected for AMS radiocarbon dating.

Site LA 181607 is located near Roy in Harding County, New Mexico. The site is enclosed by tipi rings associated with nomadic plains groups and is located on a gentle sloping southeast-facing terrace. Alamocita Creek is situated to the southeast below the terrace, while an arroyo to the east separates Sites LA 181607 and LA 181608. One sediment sample was submitted for macrofloral and radiocarbon age determination.

Site 42WS1220 is an open campsite located in the Saint George Basin, Washington County, Utah. The site is situated on three active dunes along the eastern side of Cottonwood Wash with Interstate 15 north-bound lanes running through it. The site produced multiple features, lithics, ground stones, and ceramics dating between the Archaic period and the Puebloan and South Pauite periods (Aaron Woods, personal communication, November 14, 2018). Two thermal feature fill sediments were submitted for pollen analysis. Three additional thermal feature fill sediments were submitted for macrofloral analysis, charcoal identification, microcharcoal extraction, and/or AMS radiocarbon age determination.

Fort Ligonier (36WM71), an 18th Century fortified supply outpost, is tied to the British military’s Forbes Expedition. The fort is located in the Laurel Highlands section of the Allegheny Plateau on a hilltop in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. A wood sample suspected to be from part of the main gate’s artillery battery defense was submitted for identification and AMS radiocarbon dating.

A shell fragment obtained from a larger shell from Palawan Island, Batangas was submitted for AMS radiocarbon age determination.

One sediment sample from the Shishaldin volcano on the Aleutian Islands (Site 18jrssh024) and four sediment samples from the Makushin volcano on the Eastern Unalaska Island (Site 18mkjrs001), Alaska were submitted for recovery of datable particulate organics and AMS radiocarbon age determination.

Sites 42To5283, UTG-08-JT, UTG-05-JD, Beaver Bottoms, Lake Gunnison, 42To389, and 42To4716 are located in Tooele County, Utah. Six shell samples from Sites 42To5283, UTG-08-JT, UTG-05-JD, Beaver Bottoms, Lake Gunnison and one burned bone sample from 42To389 were submitted for AMS radiocarbon age determination. Sediment from a hearth feature fill from Site 42To4716 was submitted for macrofloral analysis and subsequent AMS radiocarbon age determination.

The 45th Avenue project site (Avenue 45th) is located on the southwest corner of Lincoln Avenue and Avenue 45 in Los Angeles, California. Four soil samples, collected from a boring and a trench in lacustrine deposits, were submitted for macrofloral analysis to recover and identify charred floral remains suitable for AMS radiocarbon age determination. Three samples from B-4 with expected dates between 15,000 and 6,000 years BP (John Helms, personal communication June 15, 2015) and one sample from ST-1 were submitted for radiocarbon analysis.

A total of fifteen peat samples from multiple sites near La Paz, Bolivia were submitted for AMS radiocarbon dating. Samples were collected from the Charquini (Glacier Charquini) site, as well as Escalerani 2 and Escalerani 1, HP 2 and HP 1, Punto 2 and Punto 1, Rio La Paz (La Paz River), TC 1, and Tuni-condoriri.

Four charcoal samples from sites 42Cb2316 and 42Em15 were submitted for identification and AMS radiocarbon dating. These sites are located in Range Creek Canyon, eastern Utah, and represent Fremont habitation sites. In addition, a portion of juniper bark from a mat with a whole black-on-white jar sitting on it from the Mikkelson Site (ML 4764) was submitted for AMS radiocarbon dating. The mat with the jar was partially buried beneath the surface in a small rockshelter with a Formative/Fremont/Anasazi association. A total of five AMS radiocarbon dates were obtained.

A total of ten samples from the fill of hearths at sites 32ML0890, 32ML1065, 32ML1073, and 32ML1079 in McLean County, North Dakota, were examined for phytoliths and charred macrofloral remains to provide information concerning plant resources utilized by the various occupants of these sites. PET (Processed Edible Tissue) analysis was conducted on four pieces of charred organic material recovered from the macrofloral samples. PET analysis included examination of organic residues using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and pulverizing a portion of the charred organic remains to look for the presence of starches. Charcoal fragments or charred seeds from each of the macrofloral samples also were selected for AMS radiocarbon dating. One of the samples did not contain sufficient macroscopic charcoal for dating; therefore, microscopic charcoal (microcharcoal) was extracted from the sediment and used for radiocarbon dating. Six radiocarbon dates also were obtained from bone at these four sites. Nine projectile points from sites 32ML0890, 32ML1062, 32ML1065, 32ML1067, and 32ML1071 and three lithic tools from 32Ml1065, 32ML1067, and 32ML1073 were analyzed for possible protein residues to determine animal resources that might have been hunted/processed with these tools.

Ten peat samples recovered from high elevation bogs in Bolivia were submitted for AMS radiocarbon dating.

Two samples of wood recovered from wells at Enese-Elkerülő, Hungary, were submitted for identification. In addition, portions of both wood fragments were processed for AMS radiocarbon dating.

Sediment samples were collected from the Jacks Valley Trench and the Peavine Trench across active normal faults in Nevada with the purpose of gaining insight into earthquake activity. These sediment samples were examined to recover organic material suitable for AMS radiocarbon dating. Several types of charred macrofloral remains were noted in the Jacks Valley Trench sample. No macroscopic charcoal or other organic fragments were noted in the Peavine Trench sample; therefore, it was processed to recover microscopic charcoal fragments (microcharcoal) for dating. An AMS radiocarbon date was obtained from this microcharcoal.

A small collection of mammal long bone fragments and a few salmonid vertebrae were submitted for AMS radiocarbon dating. Although two salmonid vertebrae and several long bone fragments were processed to recover gelatin, only one sample was submitted for an AMS radiocarbon date.

Two wood samples and eight charcoal samples were submitted for identification and AMS radiocarbon dating. These samples were collected from Bench 5 and Bench 4 at the B. F. Sisk Dam in central California. Samples were identified, and radiocarbon dates were obtained on nine samples.

Previous pollen analysis of a sample associated with a burial from site 41HY163 in south-central Texas yielded possible evidence of Zea mays pollen. Because the identification was tentative, an additional soil sample was submitted to PaleoResearch Institute for testing. Pollen and phytolith analyses were conducted for the specific purpose of finding any evidence for the presence of Zea mays or to find pollen types that might be confused with Zea mays. After completion of the pollen and phytolith analyses, five bones from human burials at sites 41HY161 and 41HY163 were submitted for AMS radiocarbon dating.

Charcoal and fill samples from possible hearths at the Buckhorn Site (02-251) and the Curtain Site (02-252) were submitted for identification and macrofloral analysis. Macrofloral analysis will be used to provide subsistence information concerning possible plant resources processed in the hearths, while examination of charcoal will identify types of wood burned as fuel in these features and the best possible material for AMS radiocarbon dating.

Eleven sediment samples from four trenches (T-1, T-2, T-4, and WFT) across the Washington Fault in Southern Utah were examined to recover particulate organics that might include microscopic charcoal and/or pollen for radiocarbon dating. Upon recovery of this material, AMS radiocarbon dating was performed.

Samples from sites 24GF372 and 24GF419 in northern Montana were examined for starches and macrofloral remains. Charcoal and a charred seed from these sites also were submitted for AMS radiocarbon dating. Site 24GF372 is a scatter of cultural material with a basin-shaped hearth. Site 24GF419 contains a bison kill bone bed and two areas of culture material scatter. Macrofloral and starch analyses will be used to provide information concerning plant resources utilized by the occupants of these sites.

A single, incompletely burned human left femur from the Jeffrey Crevice burial was submitted for radiocarbon dating. Processing methods and results are discussed in the following sections.

Samples from sites 24LN202 and 24LN2210, Lincoln County, Montana, were submitted for pollen, phytolith, macrofloral, protein, and organic residue analysis, and AMS radiocarbon dating. Samples were tested for organic residues using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The goal of these analyses is to better understand the function of several cultural features, determine if other features are of cultural or geologic origins, and to identify some of the plants and animals that may have been processed with the various lithic tools submitted for protein residue analysis.

A total of 18 charcoal samples from soil pits were examined for the presence of charcoal or other organic fragments suitable for radiocarbon analysis. These samples were collected as part of a paleoflood study of Mann Creek in western Idaho. Botanic components and detrital charcoal fragments were identified, and potentially radiocarbon datable material was separated. A total of seven AMS radiocarbon dates were obtained.

Thirteen samples from the B. F. Sisk Dam in Merced County, California, were examined to recover charcoal, wood, or other organic remains suitable for AMS radiocarbon analysis. Botanic components and detrital charcoal were identified, and potentially radiocarbon datable material was separated. In addition, pollen, phytolith, and diatom analyses were conducted on one sample of charcoal in clay matrix (Station 129). Samples were collected from a trench at the downstream toe of the dam near the former junction of San Luis and Cottonwood Creeks. Ten radiocarbon dates were obtained.

Samples from canal features at sites AZ AA:12:91/103, AZ AA:12:111, and AZ AA:12:788 were submitted for macrofloral analysis. Charcoal and charred botanic remains selected from the macrofloral samples were then submitted for AMS radiocarbon dating. These sites were excavated during Phase 2 recovery for the Pima County Interconnect Project along the Santa Cruz River in southern Arizona. Macrofloral analysis will be used to provide information concerning plant resources utilized by the site occupants, while AMS radiocarbon dating will provide a temporal context for the sites.

Fill from a burned rock feature at the Side Arm Site (02-229) was floated to recover macrofloral remains. This site is located in Brewster County, Texas. Charcoal samples from two burned rock features were submitted for identification and AMS radiocarbon dating. Macrofloral analysis, including charcoal identification, will be used to provide information concerning plant resources utilized by the site occupations. AMS radiocarbon dating will provide a temporal context for the site.

Fill from a roasting pit at site 5LA10370 was floated to recover charred macrofloral remains. Charcoal from this sample was submitted for AMS radiocarbon dating. Charcoal from Stratum II at site 5LA11074 also was submitted for identification and AMS radiocarbon dating. These sites are located on the Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site in Las Animas County, southeast Colorado. Macrofloral analysis, including charcoal identification, will be used to provide information concerning plant resources utilized by the various occupants of these sites.

A large, bronze Thai sculpture of a Buddha and Naga, thought to be from the Sri Vijaya Empire in southern Thailand contained carbon and clay cores, which yielded sufficient carbon for radiocarbon dating. This statuary, cast in two pieces, is reputed to be from the Sri Vijaya Empire in the late 12th to mid 13th century. Radiocarbon dating of samples from both portions of this statuary was completed to verify the dates.

Samples were submitted from three cultural features excavated during Phase III data recovery at site 11Pk1599 in western Illinois. Charcoal samples from all three features were submitted for identification and AMS radiocarbon dating in order to identify woods burned as fuel and to obtain temporal information concerning site occupation. A projectile point/drill from a pit with cultural material was analyzed for possible protein residues to identify animals that might have been processed/hunted with this tool. Ceramic sherds from multiple levels of fill in the pit with cultural material were examined for organic residues using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Ceramic sherds from an area believed to represent a hearth dump or pot drop were analyzed for pollen, phytoliths, and organic residues. Ceramic sherds were examined to identify foods cooked using the various vessels represented.

Sediment samples were collected from a trench across an active normal fault in the Fort Sage Mountains in northeast California with the purpose of gaining insight into earthquake activity. These sediment samples were examined to recover organic material suitable for AMS radiocarbon dating. No macroscopic charcoal or other organic fragments were noted in these samples; therefore, they were processed to recover microscopic charcoal fragments (microcharcoal) for dating. Two of the samples yielded sufficient microcharcoal to obtain AMS radiocarbon dates.

A total of five charcoal samples from along Texas Creek were submitted for identification and AMS radiocarbon dating. These samples were recovered as part of a paleoflood study for Taylor Park Dam in central Colorado. Botanic components and detrital charcoal were identified, and potentially radiocarbon datable material was separated. Charcoal fragments in four samples were AMS radiocarbon dated.

Samples from the Dickerson Street and Water Works sites north of Albany, New York, were submitted for pollen, phytolith, macrofloral, protein, and organic residue analysis, along with companion charcoal identification and AMS radiocarbon dating. Samples are to be examined in two stages. Selected samples are to be analyzed first, and preliminary results are to be reported to the client before beginning the analyses on the remainder of the samples. In stage one, sediments from the Dickerson Street site were selected for pollen and phytolith analysis, along with chert points for protein analysis and fire-cracked rock for organic residue analysis. Sediments from the Water Works site were also chosen for pollen and phytolith analysis, in addition to being examined for botanical remains. Macrofloral analysis is planned for feature fill from this site, and materials are expected to be selected for AMS radiocarbon dating, along with identified charcoal samples. Lithic tools also from the Water Works site were submitted for protein analysis, and fire-cracked rock and ceramics were submitted for organic residue analysis (FTIR).

Charcoal from one feature and a suspected processing area at 24PH2976, a suspected Late Prehistoric communal bison kill site in the Missouri River breaks area north of Lake Fort Peck in Montana, were identified and AMS radiocarbon dated.

Following successful dating of a mammal bone, three additional collections of bone were submitted for radiocarbon dating from Fossil Lake.

Pollen and macrofloral samples were submitted from features at sites 42Ws1803, 42Ws1804, and 42Ws4458 in Washington County, Utah. All three sites exhibit evidence of Virgin Anasazi occupations, and site 42Ws4458 also contains evidence of a Basketmaker II-Pueblo I habitation. Pollen and macrofloral analyses will be used to provide information concerning plant resources that were processed by occupants of these sites. AMS radiocarbon dates provide information on the time of occupation of three features. Charcoal recovered from these features was identified prior to dating to provide more information the relevance of the dates to the activity represented.

Sediment, charcoal, feature fill, and fire-cracked rock samples from sites 45SN28 and 45SN303 in Snohomish County, northwestern Washington, were submitted for pollen, macrofloral, and organic residue analyses to provide subsistence information. These samples were also submitted for charcoal identification and AMS radiocarbon dating to establish chronology. Organic residues were recovered for identification using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Pollen, macrofloral, and FTIR analyses will be used to provide information concerning plant resources utilized by the occupants of this site. Little to no site information was provided by the client in an effort to minimize bias in the analyses.