7614
Title Of Article Chaper
Age and exploitation of obsidian from the Medicine Lake Highland, California
Title Of Journal Book
Journal of archaeological science
Volume
9
Issue
2
Pages
173-185
Language Of Text
English
Literature Type
Serial
Literature Level
Analytic
Abstract
Geological evidence had indicated a very young age for all obsidian sources in the Highland, yet archaeological evidence suggested that obsidian was utilized for several thousand years. X-ray fluorescence analysis distinguished the latest flow (Glass Mountain) from the Cougar Butte, Grasshopper Flat, and Lost Iron Wells sources. Data obtained from two nearby archaeological sites showed that obsidian from the latter two sources was used by ca 7500 BC, while Glass Mountain material was not used (or available) until after 1360 ± 240 BP. These findings indicate that inferences of an extremely recent age for all obsidian sources in the volcanic field were unwarranted. Further analysis of major and minor elements indicated different hydration rates for these sources. The results argue that significant geochemical variability, as well as age differences, can exist between obsidian sources within the same volcanic field.
Keywords
Obsidian, analysis; Obsidian, hydration dating; Obsidian, source trade; Obsidian, spectroscopy; Spectroscopy, x ray fluorescence ICCROM
pub_id
7614