Geochemistry of Anatolian Obisidian : Implications for Sourcing and Dating of Artifacts

Abstract

Abundant volcanism in southwest Asia provided early civilizations with obsidian, which was used to manufacture tools and other carved items. Because each obsidian flow has a unique chemical composition, ancient trade routes can be traced, and artifacts can be sourced to the volcanoes from which they originated. Using the XRF at UWEC, we perform an analysis of major and trace element composition of obsidian samples from 30 different flows in southwest Asia.