Identification of Botanic Remains in Samples from Two Ice Patch Cores at Site GLAC-38 in Glacier National Park, Montana

Puseman K. 2013. Identification of Botanic Remains in Samples from Two Ice Patch Cores at Site GLAC-38 in Glacier National Park, Montana. Bailey, Colorado

Historical accounting of vegetation present from an ice patch core; part of the Glacier NP Ice Patch Archaeology Project. Botanic remains in 12 samples from two ice patch cores in Glacier National Park, northwest Montana, were submitted for identification. The core layers containing botanic remains are believed to represent lag deposits that form when the ice undergoes a period of melting. Botanic remains blow into the melted ice and snow, then are trapped when the ice re-freezes and more snow accumulates. An uncharred leaf from the old ground surface at the bottom of one of the cores yielded a radiocarbon date of 5310 ± 30 BP. Another leaf and fecal material from the same sample also yielded similar dates. Botanic remains in these samples were identified prior to submitting additional material for radiocarbon dating and to determine plant taxa present for paleoenvironmental information.

Type
Unpublished Report
Authors
Puseman, Kathryn
Date of Issue
2013-12
Units
GLAC
Keywords
Botany, Climate, ice patch core, Paleoenvironment, Radiocarbon Dating, Vegetation
Subjects
Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Vegetation Complex

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