Journal article
Patterning in procurement of obsidian in Chaco Canyon and in Chaco-era communities in New Mexico as revealed by X-ray fluorescence
Journal of archaeological science, Vol.39(9), pp.2995-3007
09/2012
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/111232
Abstract
X-ray fluorescence analysis of obsidian artifacts from sites located in Chaco Canyon and from three Chaco-era communities in New Mexico permits determination of their geological origin. These source data are used to describe patterning in obsidian procurement in sites located in Chaco Canyon dating from A.D. 500–1150, and in a three non-Canyon communities occupied during the period of Chaco Canyon's regional prominence (ca. A.D. 875–1150). These data demonstrate that the most proximate sources generally dominate the sourced obsidian assemblages from sites of all periods, but also suggest differences in procurement patterning both over time and across space. Within Chaco Canyon, there is a notable shift from Mount Taylor obsidian to use of Jemez Mountains sources over time. These data also suggest that earlier analyses of obsidian from sites in Chaco Canyon misidentified some obsidian artifact sources; these new data indicate the central areas of disagreement and provide a revision of procurement patterning. In the Chaco-era communities located outside Chaco Canyon, procurement patterning diverges. The Blue J community shows an increase in use of the nearby Mount Taylor source over time. Two communities located toward the southern extent of the Chaco great house distribution reveal a markedly distinct procurement pattern, obtaining nearly all of their obsidian from southern sources largely unrepresented at Chaco Canyon. Combined, these data provide new insights into raw material procurement and artifact production at sites in Chaco Canyon, and in communities occupied during the Chaco Phenomenon, the period of the Canyon's greatest regional influence.
► Analysis of 763 pieces of archaeological obsidian from sites in Chaco Canyon. ► Analysis of 327 pieces of archaeological obsidian from Chaco-era communities. ► 1089 pieces of archaeological obsidian were identified to geological source. ► Revises obsidian procurement patterning for Chaco Canyon, suggesting earlier source analyses misidentified several sources.
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Details
- Title
- Patterning in procurement of obsidian in Chaco Canyon and in Chaco-era communities in New Mexico as revealed by X-ray fluorescence
- Creators
- Andrew I Duff - Department of Anthropology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-4910, USAJeremy M Moss - Tumacácori National Historical Park, 1891 East Frontage Road, Tumacacori, AZ 85640, USAThomas C Windes - National Park Service and University of New Mexico, 305 Richmond SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106, USAJohn Kantner - School for Advanced Research, Santa Fe, NM 87504-2188, USAM. Steven Shackley - Geoarchaeological XRF Laboratory, Department of Anthropology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-3710, USA
- Publication Details
- Journal of archaeological science, Vol.39(9), pp.2995-3007
- Academic Unit
- Anthropology, Department of
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- Identifiers
- 99900585485501842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article