The interpretation of pollen spectra from archaeological sites must include an analysis of how pollen reached such sites in comparison with better understood spectra from mire or tarn sediments. At Kosipe Mission, Papua New Guinea, spectra from an old open occupation site spanning 26,000-9000 BP are compared with spectra from an adjacent swamp covering 32,000 BP to present. The two sources of data allow a more confident assessment of regional vegetation and reconstruction of site environment and potential resources.