Obsidian Hydration Dating of Obsidian Lithic Fragments from the Grissom Site (45KT301)
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Campus where you would like to present
SURC Ballroom B/C/D
Start Date
21-5-2015
End Date
21-5-2015
Keywords
Archaeology, Obsidian, Trade
Abstract
Obsidian Hydration Analysis (OHA) measures the hydration layer on obsidian artifacts. The thicker the hydration layer, the longer since the tool was made. OHA can be used to test hypotheses about changes through time in past trade and exchange systems at the Grissom site (45KT301) in Kittitas County. A sample of the sourced obsidian, n=35, from the Grissom site was analyzed and sent off for OHA measurements. The results show that the range of hydration rim thickness are consistent with human occupation over the last 3,000 years. There was no visible correlation between the artifact type and the hydration rim thickness. Of the seven sources of obsidian artifacts that were analyzed, two sources have hydration rim thicknesses only greater than two microns. There were four sources with hydration rim thicknesses only less than two microns. A single source had hydration rim thicknesses both greater and less than two microns. If we assume that hydration rim thickness is at least, in part, a function of time, obsidian source diversity increased through time. These results may show that only one source was being used consistently through time at the Grissom site, while two sources were abandoned, and four new sources were utilized instead. The geographical distances from the Grissom site to the sources also increases over time, showing expansion of resource utilization, a result in contrast to conclusions made in other studies on changing obsidian source diversity.
Recommended Citation
Burris, Daniel, "Obsidian Hydration Dating of Obsidian Lithic Fragments from the Grissom Site (45KT301)" (2015). Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 105.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2015/posters/105
Poster Number
51
Department/Program
Anthropology & Museum Studies
Additional Mentoring Department
Anthropology & Museum Studies
Obsidian Hydration Dating of Obsidian Lithic Fragments from the Grissom Site (45KT301)
SURC Ballroom B/C/D
Obsidian Hydration Analysis (OHA) measures the hydration layer on obsidian artifacts. The thicker the hydration layer, the longer since the tool was made. OHA can be used to test hypotheses about changes through time in past trade and exchange systems at the Grissom site (45KT301) in Kittitas County. A sample of the sourced obsidian, n=35, from the Grissom site was analyzed and sent off for OHA measurements. The results show that the range of hydration rim thickness are consistent with human occupation over the last 3,000 years. There was no visible correlation between the artifact type and the hydration rim thickness. Of the seven sources of obsidian artifacts that were analyzed, two sources have hydration rim thicknesses only greater than two microns. There were four sources with hydration rim thicknesses only less than two microns. A single source had hydration rim thicknesses both greater and less than two microns. If we assume that hydration rim thickness is at least, in part, a function of time, obsidian source diversity increased through time. These results may show that only one source was being used consistently through time at the Grissom site, while two sources were abandoned, and four new sources were utilized instead. The geographical distances from the Grissom site to the sources also increases over time, showing expansion of resource utilization, a result in contrast to conclusions made in other studies on changing obsidian source diversity.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Patrick McCutcheon