Obsidian-Hydration Dating

Its Past, Present, and Future Application in Mesoamerica

Bibliographic Data

ID6033734
AuthorsAnncorinne Freter (Ohio University, corresponding author)
Year1993
Volume4
Issue2
Pages285-303
Publication date1993-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAncient Mesoamerica (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0956-5361 • E-ISSN: 1469-1787
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0956536100000961
OpenAlexW2096748979
LanguageEN
Citations received16
References cited58

The reconstruction of time is a central concern all archaeologists must address in their research; few, however, are fully aware of the potential of all the dating methods at their disposal. For this reason, this paper summarizes the developmental history and current level of field application of obsidian-hydration dating. It (1) reviews how this dating technique was first discovered and applied, (2) details our current knowledge of the process of hydration and which variables affect its rate, (3) discusses the relative advantages and limitations of the three primary approaches employed to construct hydration chronologies, and (4) presents a protocol for its future application in Mesoamerica. The synthesis of this body of hydration-dating research may help archaeologists more constructively decide how and when to apply this unique and versatile dating technique to their specific research questions by providing the information and guidelines necessary for recovering pertinent field data

Archaeology · Mesoamerica · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Computer Science · History · Pacific and Southeast Asian Studies · Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology · Geology

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