Pollen Analysis, a Research Tool for the Study of Cave Deposits

Abstract

Pollen grains have recently been found in quantities sufficient for statistical analysis in the sediments of Ramanote Cave, Santa Cruz County, Arizona (Arizona: DD:12:1 Amerind Survey System). At the suggestion of Terah L. Smiley of the University of Arizona the samples were collected by Charles C. DiPeso of the Amerind Foundation, Inc., in the summer of 1953. The author is indebted to Edwin B. Kurtz, Jr., and to the Botany Department, College of Agriculture, University of Arizona, for the use of laboratory facilities. Because many cultural materials have been found in cave deposits and many cave explorations are now in progress, this preliminary report is intended to point out the necessity of collecting samples for pollen analysis during the progress of archaeological investigations.Peat bogs have long been known as ideal deposits for pollen studies due to high pollen frequencies and excellent conditions for preservation.