The Ethnobotanical Pollen Record at Arroyo Hondo Pueblo

 

The Ethnobotanical Pollen Record at Arroyo Hondo Pueblo, Vorsila L. Bohrer, 1986, School of American Research Press, Santa Fe, New Mexico, Arroyo Hondo Archeological Series, Additional Reports I, Volume 6

         Prehistoric pollen survives in exposed archeological sites in better condition and generally in greater abundance than other plant remains. Because pollen preserves well, is abundant and identifiable, and represents a wide range of plants, it is a useful source of information about prehistoric climate, vegetation, and human subsistence practices. Thus the detection of and explanation for the presence of ethnobotanical pollen was the research objective of this report. From a total of 454 prehistoric pollen samples obtained, 61 were selected for their potential ability to contribute to the research objectives. Pollen counts were obtained on thirty-nine samples. Adding three modern surface samples that were taken, a total of 42 samples constitute the database of the study. The study produced insights into the diet, ecology and economy of the Arroyo Hondo Pueblo inhabitants.