Obsidian source assignments

When obsidian source assignments for comparable time periods, the Banesh Phase (3400-2800 b.c.) at Tal-e Malyan and periods VA to IVB (3600-2600 B.c.) at Tepe Yahya, are compared (Table IV), both sites show a heavy reliance on a single obsidian source. At Tal-e Malyan, the Nemrut Dag 1 source contributes 88% of the obsidian two other sources, Zarnaki Tepe and Group D (Ig), contribute 6% each. At Tepe Yahya, however, the Zarnaki Tepe source contributes 100% of the analyzed obsidian. 

Figure 3. Comparison ofLA-ICP-MS elemental ratios for the six Monti Arci (Sardinia) obsidian subgroups. Artifacts are represented by anX. All other symbols represent known source samples that were included in the analyses to verify the accuracy of the assignment ofartifacts.

Use of obsidian in South America has been documented from about 13,000 years B.P. through the beginning of the Spanish Conquest. Several of the most archaeologically important sources of obsidian in South America are located in the Andes. mountain region of southern Peru. Due to the difficult terrain and volatile political environment, the locations for many of these sources were unknown to archaeologists until quite recently. Neutron activation analysis and X-ray fluorescence have been used to measure the compositional patterns for individual sources. The comprehensive source database established by this work enables definitive and cost-effective assignments of provenance to obsidian artifacts from archaeological sites in Peru and northern Bolivia. 

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