Obsidian Procurement Research Articles

The procurement of obsidian: factors influencing the choice of deposits

More than 20 sources of obsidian are scattered across Armenia and the determination of provenance of about 400 artefacts from archaeological sites permits analysis, on a methodological level, of factors which could have influenced the choice of deposit by prehistoric people. The study of the distribution of obsidian shows that there is no simple model: the villages were supplied sometimes from one source, sometimes from several, and in the latter case the nearest deposit was not necessarily the one preferred. The factor of distance as the crow flies, which is often considered a determinant in the choice of sources, is thus often irrelevant. Thanks to a Geographic Information System, we have been able to create a model of ‘time–distance’ between the deposits and the villages and to establish maps of accessibility to the sources of obsidian from each of the archaeological sites. When several sources are available, a threshold appears which corresponds to the maximum time accepted by the populations for direct procurement; beyond this threshold, the quantity of obsidian is reduced and appears to be related to gradual redistribution or to a transhumance process.

Obsidian Source Characterization and Hunter–gatherer Mobility: an Example from the Tucson Basin

Obsidian source characterization is another tool that can be used by archaeologists to examine hunter–gatherer mobility strategies by allowing them to reconstruct the potential geographic extent of group mobility. In this paper, data on obsidian source characterization from nine Archaic sites in the Tucson Basin of southern Arizona are used to determine whether changes in obsidian procurement ranges are associated with a reduction in residential mobility documented in the area between the Middle and Late Archaic/Early Agricultural periods. Analysis of the data reveals that not only do procurement ranges change, but procurement strategies may also have changed. It is argued that obsidian source characterization is a useful tool for examining group mobility when used in conjunction with other site data.

Through the glass darkly : Prehispanic obsidian procurement and exchange in southern Peru and northern Bolivia

Recent discovery of the major geological sources of Central Andean obsidian permits a new understanding of the patterns of obsidian procurement and exchange by the Prehispanic societies of southern Peru and northern Bolivia. Based on the trace element analysis of obsidian artifacts from 160 archaeological sites, it can be established that the two major deposits of obsidian were being exploited by 9400 BP, and that volcanic glass was being transported over long distances throughout Andean prehistory. Inhabitants of the Cuzco region acquired most obsidian from the Alca source in central Arequipa, while those in the high plateau surrounding Lake Titicaca obtained most obsidian from the Chivay source in southern Arequipa. Obsidian evidence suggests close ties between the Cuzco and Circum-Titicaca regions throughout prehistory, except during the Middle Horizon (ca. 1400–1050 BP), when the expansion of the Huari and Tiahuanaco states disrupted this pattern.

Geochemical Differentiation and Prehistoric Procurement of Obsidian in the Mount Taylor Volcanic Field, Northwest New Mexico

Recently, due to an increasing number of analyses of archaeological obsidian worldwide, the reporting of chemically differentiated and compositionally zoned, obsidian producing rhyolite domes has increased. While these studies have been important, and furthered our knowledge of the potential chemical variability of rhyolite magmas as they relate to archaeological obsidians, they are rarely made relevant to archaeological issues. In northwestern New Mexico the “Grants Ridge” source in the Mount Taylor Volcanic Field exhibits two compositionally differing glasses derived from the same magma source that also exhibit significant megascopic variability correlating with raw material quality. While Grants Ridge was previously seen as a single source, this study suggests that one of the localities was considered a more viable raw material in prehistory, at least in the local area. The Grants Ridge study indicates the value of more intensive investigations of archaeological obsidian sources in the Southwest including systematic geoprospection and chemical analysis. The wavelength and energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis reported here provides the first systematic study of this high-silica archaeological obsidian source in the Mount Taylor Volcanic Field.

Sociality and the short distance trader: intra‐regional obsidian exchange in the Willaumez region, Papua New Guinea

AbstractAn analysis of changes in the assemblage composition of obsidian from different sources was undertaken on 12 assemblages from sites dating over the past 6,000 years in the Willaumez region (including the peninsula and nearby islands) in West New Britain, in order to investigate Ambrose's (1978) prediction that Lapita obsidian trade differed from recent ethnographic systems. The history of obsidian use on Garua Island, where sites contain various mixes of local and imported obsidian, points to the existence of an intra‐regional system of exchange between communities specialising in one or more goods during the time of Lapita pottery (c. 3,500–2,000 BP). The method of obsidian procurement is shown to have been significantly different from both the earlier and later phases. It is argued that the widespread distribution of obsidian on Lapita sites in both Near and Remote Oceania is the result of movement between a loosely integrated series of local, intra‐regional systems and not long‐distance trade over the entire area as proposed by previous scholars.

The Social and Economic Contexts of Lithic Procurement: Obsidian from Classic-Period Hohokam Sites

The social and economic organization of obsidian procurement has been a topic of particular interest in southwestern archaeology as a result of recent work identifying and characterizing a number of sources throughout Arizona, New Mexico, and northern Mexico. Recent studies have attempted to explain temporal and spatial variability of obsidian distribution in the larger contexts of regional exchange networks, socially bounded territories, and elite redistributive efforts. This study reviews the current state of research as reflected in three models. Patterns in obsidian source diversity and reduction stage data are assessed relative to model expectations and an analysis of obsidian acquisition and distribution. The likelihood of elite members of an increasingly formalized socioeconomic system playing a role in these processes should be considered, while at the same time noting that kin-based raw material procurement and ritual item mobilization may explain many of the obsidian patterns. The emerging perspective suggests that obsidian moved in a variety of spheres, concurrently serving a number of social and economic purposes. This study highlights the importance of modeling individual, nonlocal commodities before attempting to generate monolithic exchange models.

Obsidian Procurement and Distribution in the Tikal-Yaxha Intersite Area of the Central Maya Lowlands

AbstractObsidian from known outcrops in the Mesoamerican highlands has been recovered from lowland Maya sites, providing significant evidence for long-distance procurement and local redistribution of obsidian by the ancient Maya. Prior chemical-characterization studies of obsidian from the lowland Maya area provide a foundation for the study of Tikal-Yaxha obsidian presented here. The samples used in this analysis came from middens associated with 12 residential units located between Tikal and Yaxha and dating from the Preclassic through Terminal Classic periods. The results of chemical sourcing of the Tikal-Yaxha samples generally lend support to current interpretations of changes in obsidian distribution and procurement in the central Maya lowlands. During the Preclassic period, most obsidian was imported from the San Martín Jilotepeque-Río Pixcaya source area. Obsidian from the El Chayal source predominated throughout the Classic period, although some Mexican Pachuca obsidian appeared in Early Classic contexts, and Ixtepepque obsidian was apparently restricted to the Terminal Classic period.

Obsidian Procurement and Distribution in the Central and Western Mediterranean

Obsidian has long been recognized as an indicator of long-distance, maritime-based exchange networks in the Neolithic central and western Mediterranean. Earlier studies have identified and chemically characterized the major island sources, but few subsequent efforts have been directed at determining the provenance of significant numbers of artifacts from secure archaeological contexts. This paper presents new interpretations of obsidian procurement and distribution based on the chemical and visual sourcing of more than 2700 artifacts from island and mainland sites in France and Italy, and discusses the spatially and temporally dynamic economic and social role of obsidian. Finally, it is suggested that long-distance prestige exchange of obsidian and other materials was an important way of maintaining ethnic or kin connections in increasingly sedentary Neolithic societies.

The relativity of density

AbstractIn an attempt to overcome biases resulting from small sample size, we examine the potential of relative density, which Ambrose (n.d.; 1994) and Green (1987) have proposed is a non‐destructive, inexpensive, and easy technique for characterising the chemical composition of obsidian from the different sources in Melanesia. Our results demonstrate considerable overlap in relative density for the chemical subgroups in West New Britain, but also show that reasonable discrimination between obsidian samples from the West New Britain and Lou Island regional groups can be obtained. Weathered surfaces and inclusions are found to have inconsequential effects. It is argued that when used within its limitations, relative density could have an important role in future studies of prehistoric obsidian procurement and exchange.

Classic Period Hohokam Obsidian Studies in Southern Arizona

AbstractDuring the last decade a number of obsidian studies have been conducted on Classic-periodHohokam artifacts from sites in southern Arizona. The geological and cultural settings of this region make it an ideal area for the study of raw material acquisition and distribution networks. The technique of X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry has been used as an inexpensive means to characterize sources and artifacts. This paper discusses the results of obsidian studies conducted on nine sites or site complexes within the Hohokam area. The dominant pattern of raw material procurement appears to be one of proximity, where the most commonly found obsidian on the site was usually obtained from the closest source. Procurement strategies indicate that obsidian procurement may have been secondary or parallel to the acquisition of other primary resources.

An Initial Consideration of Obsidian Procurement and Exchange in Prehispanic Ecuador

We have examined the role of long-distance trade in Prehispanic Ecuador using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and neutron-activation analysis (NAA) of obsidian artifacts from the archaeological sites of El Inga, Chobshi Cave and Site OGSE-46 on the Santa Elena Peninsula. Results indicate that two geological sources east of Quito, Yanaurco-Quiscatola and Mullumica, were the principal source of raw obsidian at these sites. We situate our findings within a broader archaeological context through a review of the literature and a discussion of an earlier provenience study undertaken by us. We express concerns about recent attempts to apply ethnohistoric models to early periods of Ecuadorian prehistory, and argue that despite early exploitation of the principal obsidian sources, long-distance trade in obsidian was initiated at a relatively late date and remained at a surprisingly low level in southern Ecuador during most of prehistory.

Diachronic Variability in Obsidian Procurement Patterns in Northeastern California and Central Oregon. Richard E. Hughes. University of California Publications in Anthropology Vol. 17. University of California Press, Berkeley, 1986. xxii + 429 pp., figures, tables, maps, appendices, references. $35.00 (paper).

Diachronic Variability in Obsidian Procurement Patterns in Northeastern California and Central Oregon. Richard E. Hughes. University of California Publications in Anthropology Vol. 17. University of California Press, Berkeley, 1986. xxii + 429 pp., figures, tables, maps, appendices, references. $35.00 (paper). - Volume 54 Issue 1

Diachronic variability in obsidian procurement patterns in Northeastern California and Southcentral Oregon, Richard E. Hughes, 1986, University of California Publications in Anthropology 17, 429 pp., $35.00, paper

Diachronic variability in obsidian procurement patterns in Northeastern California and Southcentral Oregon, Richard E. Hughes, 1986, University of California Publications in Anthropology 17, 429 pp., $35.00, paper

Obsidian procurement and consumption on Easter Island

reduction strategies employed and the period over which the quarry was in use. Although previous archaeological research has examined lithic assemblages (McCoy 1976, Mulloy 1961, Smith 1961), it has focused on problems of artifact typology or minor aspects of production. This paper establishes a preliminary model of obsidian reduction at the quarry which may be related to an island-wide characterization of site assemblages in behavioural terms. In addition, the relationship between obsidian mining and consumption is examined over time. Orito quarry

Toward a More Comprehensive Model of Interregional Commodity Distribution: Political Variables and Prehistoric Obsidian Procurement in Mesoamerica

The distance-decay model of commodity distribution is examined for its potential utility in accounting for the interregional patterning of nonlocal goods during prehistoric times. Data obtained through a spectrochemical trace element analysis of Mesoamerican obsidian artifacts serve to expose some of the model's explanatory deficiencies and, when viewed in the context of what we know about the events of Mesoamerican prehistory, suggest that variables of a sociopolitical nature must enter into any comprehensive attempt to understand the processes by which long-distance networks of commodity distribution evolved and were maintained.

Obsidian Production and the State in Teotihuacan

Obsidian production was a major component of Classic period Teotihuacan's economy, with hundreds of workshops producing cores and blades of green obsidian and bifaces of grey obsidian for distribution throughout central Mexico. Although green obsidian was evidently obtained through a state network, grey obsidian procurement was conducted independently by most workshop groups. Most production took place in residential areas beyond the major public structures of the city, but some of these craftsmen also worked periodically within the public precincts where their output would have been at the disposition of state officials. The burden of this levy fell primarily upon those sectors of the industry that were most dependent on the state for support and most involved in external distribution. However, despite this evidence of an important administered element in the Teotihuacan obsidian industry, the workshops apparently maintained their independence from the state. This may have been due to their organization in strong social units that had a long history of independent existence, and to their self-reliance in procurement and distribution during the earlier stages of the industry"s development.

An Initial Examination of Prehistoric Obsidian Exchange in Hidalgo County New Mexico

Recent archaeological surveys in southwestern New Mexico have produced a large volume of data relating to the prehistoric procurement and exchange of obsidian from the Antelope Wells source in Hida...