Skip to Main Content
Skip Nav Destination

Obsidian is a volcanic glass widely used in antiquity to manufacture stone tools, prized for its sharp edges. The process by which obsidian forms gives each source of the material a relatively homogeneous and characteristic chemical composition. In the Eastern Mediterranean, workable sources of obsidian are well known and characterized. Trace element analysis of obsidian using a variety of analytical approaches, most recently including portable X-ray fluorescence, has been used to discriminate between sources. Establishing the provenance or source of origin of obsidian artefacts aims to clarify the mechanisms by which this unique material is distributed across the archaeological map.

You do not currently have access to this chapter, but see below options to check access via your institution or sign in to purchase.
Don't already have an account? Register
Close Modal

or Create an Account

Close Modal
Close Modal