Author: Jessica Ann Ambroz
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Geochemistry
Languages : en
Pages : 398

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Author: Olwen Williams Thorpe
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Author: Adon A. Gordus
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Nuclear activation analysis
Languages : en
Pages : 3

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Concentrations of elements such as manganese, scandium, lanthanum, rubidium, samarium, barium, and zirconium in obsidian samples from different flows show ranges of 1000 percent or more, whereas the variation in element content in obsidian samples from a single flow appear to be less than 40 percent. Neutron-activation analysis of these elements, as well as of sodium and iron, provides a means of identifying the geologic source of an archeological artifact of obsidian.

Author: M. Steven Shackley
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 147579276X
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 257

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This volume is the third in the Advances in Archaeological and Museum Science series sponsored by the Society for Archaeological Sciences (SAS). The purpose of this series is to provide summaries of advances in various topics in ar chaeometry, archaeological science, environmental archaeology, preservation technology, and museum conservation. The SAS exists to encourage interdisciplinary collaboration between archaeologists and colleagues in the natural and physical sciences. SAS mem bers are drawn from many disciplinary fields. However, they all share a common belief that physical science techniques and methods constitute an essential component of contemporary archaeological field and laboratory studies. The series editors wish to thank the reviewers of each of the chapters in this volume for their excellent comments and suggestions. We also wish to thank Chriss jones for her invaluable assistance in the preparation of the texts for submission to the publisher. xi Preface As noted in the introductory chapter, this volume is the second major review of research progress in the study of archaeological obsidian. An earlier book, Advances in Obsidian Glass Studies: Archaeological and Geochemical Perspectives, appeared in 1976. A comparison of the treatment of topics reflected in this earlier work and that contained in this volume not only highlights important advances in the quality and depth of research on archaeological obsidian over more than a quarter of a century but also illustrates more generally some characteristics of developments in the archaeological science field in general.

Author: Jennifer J. Thatcher
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Obsidian
Languages : en
Pages : 578

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Geochemical characterization methods are commonly used in the reconstruction of prehistoric raw material use and procurement systems. Trace element studies of lithic source material and artifacts, specifically those made of obsidian, can reveal important information about the environmental and cultural factors which influence the prehistoric distribution of raw material. The current investigation uses geochemical characterization methods and data to document and evaluate the distribution of geologic and artifact obsidian that originates from the Silver Lake/Sycan Marsh (SL/SM) obsidian source. This large and prehistorically significant source is located in western Lake County, Oregon. Few source descriptions or artifact distribution studies exist for SL/SM obsidian. However, over the past decade, a significant increase in the use of geochemical characterization methods has generated a wealth of data for Oregon obsidian sources. This thesis synthesizes the results of the geochemical characterization analysis of 392 geologic obsidian specimens collected from the SL/SM source area and 1,938 SL/SM obsidian artifacts recovered from over 200 archaeological sites in Oregon, Washington and California. The artifact analytical data were derived from previously characterized artifact collections compiled and archived in an extensive database. A subset of artifacts were characterized for the purpose of this study. Based on the results of geochemical analysis of the geologic material, two distinct source boundaries are defined for the SL/SM geochemical source. The trace element data show that the geologic SL/SM obsidian source material originates from two chemically-related obsidian domes which lie in separate drainage basins. Accordingly, this investigation establishes that the natural distribution of geologic obsidian is highly dependent upon the regional topography. Spatial analyses of the artifact obsidian demonstrate a widespread distribution of SL/SM obsidian throughout central and western Oregon and parts of northwest California and southwest Washington. Numerous cultural and environmental variables appear to have affected the artifact distribution at local and regional levels. The findings show a predominance of SL/SM artifact obsidian use along the western slopes of the Cascade Range within the southern half of Oregon. Locally, use of the source appears to be less pronounced due to the abundance of competing central and eastern Oregon obsidian sources. The results suggest that SL/SM artifact obsidian was distributed both intentionally and incidentally as a result of prehistoric procurement and exchange systems.

Author: Koen H. A. Janssens
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 0470516143
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 762

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The first scientific volume to compile the modern analytical techniques for glass analysis, Modern Methods for Analysing Archaeological and Historical Glass presents an up-to-date description of the physico-chemical methods suitable for determining the composition of glass and for speciation of specific components. This unique resource presents members of Association Internationale pour l'Histoire du Verre, as well as university scholars, with a number of case studies where the effective use of one or more of these methods for elucidating a particular culturo-historical or historo-technical aspect of glass manufacturing technology is documented.

Author: Catherine Lindberg-Muir
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Archaeology
Languages : en
Pages : 478

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Archaeological sites located on the western flanks of the centra1 Oregon Cascades are often characterized by the lack of temporally diagnostic artifacts and materials suitable for radiocarbon dating. Consequently, the temporal context of these sites remains largely unknown. Various researchers also have suggested that these open-air lithic sites have been adversely affected by various pedoturbative processes active in the densely forested environment, effectively negating the value of the depositional context of the sites. The research reported herein represents an attempt to empirically test the stratigraphic integrity of selected lithic sites through application of obsidian hydration data, and complimentary X-Ray Flouresence (XRF) chemical characterization. Concurrently, the data are applied to the evaluation of the temporal context of the sites, especially in terms of identifying single vs. multiple components. Results of these analyses have provided new information regarding obsidian source utilization in this area, the stratigraphic value of open lithic sites, and the potential for developing a temporal framework for sites in this area. Obsidian Cliffs has been identified as the dominant source of artifactual obsidian in these sites. Hydration data indicate that the stratigraphy of most of the study sites have been mixed as a result of natural processes occurring in the forest environment. Tentative interpretation of each site's occupational history is also offered. Success in application of obsidian hydration data as a tool for relative dating has been demonstrated, and the development of a local hydration data base has been initiated. Recommendations for the advancement of obsidian studies in this area are also proposed.

Author: Richard Edward Hughes
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 264

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Author: Richard Edward Hughes
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 914

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Author: George Robert Rapp
Publisher: Yale University Press
ISBN: 0300109660
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 357

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Considering the history and theory of geoarchaeology, this book discusses soils and environmental interpretations; initial context and site formation; methods of discovery and spatial analyses; estimating time; and others. It is for all professionals and students interested in the field of geoarchaeology