Ancient use of the four corners potato

Establishing the temporal and spatial dimensions of intentional cultivation would provide an essential component of the domestication argument. This project tests the hypothesis that S. jamesii tubers were processed with ground stone tools from archaeological sites located beyond the natural range of the species, especially where genetic evidence has previously indicated human transport and establishment in gardens.

Microbotanical evidence, in the form of starch granules from 401 ground stone tools at 14 archaeological sites, is examined. More than 6,500 starch granules were recovered from the tools; 163 of which were assigned to S. jamesii. Four sites (North Creek Shelter, Long House/Mesa Verde, Pueblo Bonito/Chaco Canyon, and Point of Pines) show consistent use of S. jamesii (ubiquity >18%), as early as 10,900 cal BP, and well into Puebloan times.