Current Issues and Future Directions in Archaeological Volcanic Glass Studies

Abstract

Not since R.E. Taylor’s 1976 edited volume, Advances in Obsidian Glass Studies: Archaeological and Geochemical Perspectives has there been an attempt to update the recent advances in archaeological obsidian studies. In these last twenty years, the use of obsidian archaeometry has witnessed almost boundless expansion, party due to the concomitant advances in computer technology and instrumental chemistry, and partly due to a recognition by archaeologists that archaeometrists provide much more than mere measurement. The primary purpose here is to present the most recent advances in volcanic glass geochemistry and hydration analysis as a coarse gained perspective for glass studies in archaeology for the next century. Not all the analytical techniques are used for archaeological obsidian are discussed here, but the most commonly used instrumental techniques are presented in this volume.