Interpreting Intrasource Variation in the Composition of Obsidian

The Geoarchaeology of San Martin Jilotepeque, Guatemala

Datos Bibliográficos

ID7904837
AutoresGeoffrey E Braswell, Michael D Glascock (0000-0003-0686-7556)
Año1998
Volumen9
Número4
Páginas353-369
Fecha de publicación1998-12-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaLatin American Antiquity (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1045-6635 • E-ISSN: 2325-5080
EditorialCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.2307/3537033
OpenAlexW2330349027
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas20
Referencias citadas15

Compositional analyses have long been used to assign obsidian artifacts to particular source areas. In most cases, the chemical “fingerprint” of a particular source area has been determined through the assay of only a few geological specimens from one or two outcrops. As a result, the full range of intrasource compositional variation has rarely been noted, and its spatial patterning frequently has not been studied. This report describes the results of geoarchaeological survey at the important Guatemalan source area of San Martín Jilotepeque. Neutron activation analysis demonstrates the presence of seven distinct chemical “fingerprints” corresponding to spatially discrete subsources within the region. Ancient procurement and production are associated with only three of these subsources. Statistical procedures that can be used to assign artifacts to particular quarries or quarry systems are presented. Several minor Guatemalan source areas also are examined, and one (Media Cuesta) also can be characterized as consisting of two distinct subsources

Archaeology · Geoarchaeology · Geochemistry · Geography · Outcrop · Provenance · Range (aeronautics · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Isotope Analysis in Ecology · Pacific and Southeast Asian Studies · Geology