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Characterization of Archaeological Volcanic Glass from Oceania

The Utility of Three Techniques

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Archaeological Obsidian Studies

Part of the book series: Advances in Archaeological and Museum Science ((AAMS,volume 3))

Abstract

Distributional studies of archaeological volcanic glass play key roles in determining the scale, complexity, and duration of prehistoric social interaction between island societies in Oceania. Volcanic glass distributions have shed light on the spatial limits and antiquity of Melanesian exchange systems and on strategies necessary to colonize and sustain communities on isolated landfalls. The efficacy of three characterization techniques of Oceanic glasses are examined: macroscopic source assignment of a unique volcanic glass (ignimbrite) from the Pitcairn Group, southeast Polynesia; non-destructive energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) of Melanesian obsidian; and electron microprobe analysis of Hawaiian volcanic glass. Suggestions for facilitating volcanic glass studies in Oceania are offered.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Archaeology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand

    Marshall I. Weisler

  2. Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, Moss Landing, California, USA

    David A. Clague

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  1. Marshall I. Weisler
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  2. David A. Clague
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Phoebe Hearst Museum of Anthropology and Department of Anthropology, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA

    M. Steven Shackley

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© 1998 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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Weisler, M.I., Clague, D.A. (1998). Characterization of Archaeological Volcanic Glass from Oceania. In: Shackley, M.S. (eds) Archaeological Obsidian Studies. Advances in Archaeological and Museum Science, vol 3. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-9276-8_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-9276-8_5

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4757-9278-2

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