Long-distance exchange of obsidian in the mid-Atlantic United States

Abstract

Continuing research into the possibility of super-long-distance exchange of obsidian materials has revealed additional archaeological specimens bolstering theories of exchange across the North American continent. A collection of obsidian artifacts from East Coast archaeological sites has been analyzed using X-ray fluorescence to reveal West Coast geologic provenance. Increasing numbers of specimens with well-documented archaeological provenience suggest that super-long-distance exchange existed prehistorically. Though transport existed on a continental scale, we argue the mechanism for exchange happened on a personal scale through hand-to-hand and person-to-person interaction. © 2010 Springer-Verlag New York.