What question did this study set out to answer?

The research aims to test hypotheses related to plant macroflora in the Hoko River Rockshelter, focusing on cultural deposition and subsistence use.

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April 10, 2026Open Access

Analysis of Macroflora From the Hoko River Rockshelter, Olympic Peninsula, Washington

Key Points

The research aims to test hypotheses related to plant macroflora in the Hoko River Rockshelter, focusing on cultural deposition and subsistence use.
Collected column samples from cultural layers of the shell midden
Tested hypotheses regarding macroflora deposition by cultural processes
Identified seeds to model plant food use and seasonal collection patterns
Determined that macroflora were primarily deposited through cultural processes
Generated models indicating plant resources played a vital role in aboriginal subsistence
Identified seasonal patterns in macroflora suggesting the timing of collection.

Abstract

Column samples of cultural layers were collected from several locations in the Hoko River Rockshelter shell midden. From these samples, three hypotheses regarding the macroflora (seeds) present in the site were tested: (1) All plant macroflora located in the rockshelter shell midden were deposited by cultural processes; (2) seed identification can be used to generate a model of plant food use by rockshelter inhabitants through time, and further, that plant resources were a vital part of aboriginal subsistence; and (3) Macroflora can be used as an indicator of season of collection, if not occupation, in the rockshelter, as determined by the fruiting season of the plant taxa found.

Analysis of Macroflora From the Hoko River Rockshelter, Olympic Peninsula, Washington

Key Points

Abstract

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