Powered by OpenAIRE graph
Found an issue? Give us feedback
image/svg+xml Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao Closed Access logo, derived from PLoS Open Access logo. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Closed_Access_logo_transparent.svg Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao Journal of Archaeolo...arrow_drop_down
image/svg+xml Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao Closed Access logo, derived from PLoS Open Access logo. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Closed_Access_logo_transparent.svg Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao
Journal of Archaeological Science Reports
Article . 2019 . Peer-reviewed
License: Elsevier TDM
Data sources: Crossref
versions View all 1 versions
addClaim

Splitting obsidian: Assessing a multiproxy approach for sourcing obsidian artifacts in British Columbia

Authors: Rhy McMillan; Marghaleray Amini; Dominique Weis;

Splitting obsidian: Assessing a multiproxy approach for sourcing obsidian artifacts in British Columbia

Abstract

Abstract Archaeology and geology inherently intersect when attempting to determine the geographic origin of lithic materials manufactured into artifacts by ancient people. Obsidian, or volcanic glass, is frequently found in archaeological sites, and researchers commonly use the trace element characteristics of obsidian artifacts to identify their source. However, the trace element concentrations of obsidian flows are not necessarily unique, potentially leading to inaccurate conclusions when used in isolation, especially if all possible sources have not been identified and systematically characterized. In this pilot study, we assess variations among the trace element, structural, and isotopic characteristics of obsidian sources in British Columbia and describe a multiproxy approach for provenancing obsidian artifacts. Our approach combines the survey of an artifact assemblage using non-destructive techniques with further analysis of a pre-selected subset of representative artifacts using minimally-invasive analytical methods. The initial non-destructive survey step includes determination of trace element concentrations by portable X-ray fluorescence and structural characteristics by Raman spectroscopy. The minimally-invasive step includes the measurement of lead isotope ratios and more precise trace element concentrations with split stream-laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (SS-LA-ICP-MS) on only a select few representative artifacts. We tested this approach on 14 obsidian artifacts from an archaeological site in British Columbia. Our results provide multiple lines of evidence which indicate that two of the analysed artifacts likely originated from Mount Edziza, ~360 km north of the site, and all others likely originated from Anahim Peak, ~275 km south of the site. The combined use of multiple proxies significantly enhances confidence during sourcing studies and highlights the strength of multidisciplinary and multivariate geochemical approaches to archaeological challenges.

  • BIP!
    Impact byBIP!
    selected citations
    These citations are derived from selected sources.
    This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
    6
    popularity
    This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
    Top 10%
    influence
    This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
    Average
    impulse
    This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
    Average
Powered by OpenAIRE graph
Found an issue? Give us feedback
selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
6
Top 10%
Average
Average
Upload OA version
Are you the author of this publication? Upload your Open Access version to Zenodo!
It’s fast and easy, just two clicks!