Hello and thank you to all who responded to my inquiry about the
"capsule"!
Several of you suggested Melia azedarach (endocarp) but were worried about
its Old World status. It was introduced into the southeastern US in the
1830's, however, and is now classed as a very invasive weed by the USDA.
The area of the site is just right for Melia to flourish, and as a couple
of you suggested, it may be modern. It was from a shovel test pit that
contained only prehistoric pottery that has a very broad temporal span but
probably dates to between ca. 1300 and 1700 AD -- a bit equivocal, as the
site does have an early historic component.
Thanks very much for your help and for introducing me to this beautiful,
if invasive, species!
Cheers,
Susan
Susan E. Allen
Department of Archaeology
675 Commonwealth Ave.
Boston University
Boston, MA 02215
tel. (617)353-3415
fax. (617)353-6800
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