Study of 30 surface and 18 archaeological-context pollen samples was undertaken to assess the potential for further archaeological palynology research. Surface sample analysis allows palynological recognition of eight habitat types ranging from dry and cold through wet and moist to dry and warm. Comparison of fossil and modern surface pollen data suggests the character of paleoecological change sequences at 4 sites, a positive potential for inter-site and intra-site relative cross-dating, and a positive potential for inter-regional dating on paleoclimatic grounds.

Argues that the canons of evidence that apply to artifactual evidence of prehistoric behavior patterns are sometimes distinct from those that apply to non-artifactual evidence, and the logic and archaeological value of the latter is not less simply because it is different. The essay is intended to instruct and sensitise archaeologists to this issue as much as it is to allay concern that the pollen evidence for Archaic maize cultivation at the Koster site may not be credible. 49 p. Also see Schoenwetter 1994