Obsidian Distribution: Evidence of West to East Movements in the Southern Plains Prior to the Plains Village Tradition

Abstract

Eleven artifacts visually similar to obsidian were recovered from secure subsurface contexts in a Late Archaic component at the Pipeline site (41PT185/C) near Amarillo, Texas. X-ray florescence analysis of nine pieces yielded chemical results that indicate that eight obsidian pieces came from three separate sources in the Jemez Mountains of north central New Mexico. Two pieces were from El Rechuelos, three pieces were identified as Cerro Toledo Rhyolite, and three pieces were identified as Valles Rhyolite. One piece was chemically similar to modern glass. The radiocarbon dating of this Late Archaic component documents earlier west to east movement of obsidian onto the High Plains, the western section of the southern Plains, prior to the more extensive trading networks envisioned for the subsequent Plains Village tradition (Middle Ceramic period).