Ams Radiocarbon, Pollen, Phytolith, Starch, Macrofloral, Protein Residue, and Ftir Analyses of Samples From the Mill Creek Precontact Site (24dl0238), Montana

The Mill Creek Precontact Site (24DL0238) is located along the banks of Mill Creek in eastern Deer Lodge County, southeast of Anaconda, Montana. The samples discussed below were excavated during the 2020 field season. Mill Creek is interpreted as a series of seasonal villages occupied by multiple cultural/temporal groups. Although the earliest occupation of the site is believed to be as early as 4500 BP, the most intense occupation(s) occurred during the Late Precontact Period (after ca. 1500 BP). Fifteen samples, consisting of lithics, charred carbon, and sediment were submitted for analyses. Based on material type and location, samples underwent pollen, phytolith, starch, and/or protein residue analyses, as well as AMS radiocarbon, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) in some instances.