POLLEN, PHYTOLITH AND MACROFLORAL ANALYSES FOR THE SOUTH FERRY TERMINAL PROJECT, NEW YORK CITY

Soil samples from excavation units associated with sections of the Battery Wall at the South Ferry Terminal Archaeological Project in New York City were examined for pollen and phytolith plant remains. Botanic samples and one floated light fraction also were sent for macrofloral identification. In addition, two botanic samples were recovered from Whitehall Slip, located east of the Battery Park excavations. All of these samples are part of ongoing archaeological investigations related to the construction of a new South Ferry Terminal located at the tip of Manhattan. This area has a long history of human use that includes Native American occupation, a European colonial settlement in 1624, numerous Dutch and British military structures, followed later by rail and subway facilities. Pollen, phytolith and macrofloral analyses of samples from this site should provide environmental information such as climate, moisture availability, and locally dominant vegetation, as well as plants utilized for food and other functions.本研究的样品取自纽约市南码头考古项目（South Ferry Terminal Archaeological Project）炮台墙区段相关发掘探方的土壤样本，已对其中的孢粉与植物植硅体遗存开展检测分析。植物标本及1份浮选轻组分样品亦被送检以开展大植物遗存鉴定。 此外，在炮台公园发掘区东侧的白厅船坞（Whitehall Slip）中还采集到2份植物标本。 所有上述样品均属于曼哈顿南端新建南码头建设相关的在研考古调查项目的组成部分。 该区域拥有悠久的人类活动历史，先后涵盖原住民定居、1624年欧洲殖民定居、多座荷兰与英国军事设施营建，以及后续铁路与地铁设施的修建。 对本遗址样品开展的孢粉、植硅体与大植物遗存分析，将可为获取古气候、水资源状况、本地优势植被，以及先民用作食物或其他用途的植物等环境相关信息提供科学依据。