Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Chronometric Dating in Archaeology pp 297–321Cite as

Obsidian Hydration Dating

  • Chapter

Part of the book series: Advances in Archaeological and Museum Science ((AAMS,volume 2))

Abstract

A freshly-made surface of obsidian (volcanic glass of rhyolitic composition) will absorb water which slowly penetrates by diffusion into the body of the artifact. Although the depth of penetration can be measured by various methods, it is generally determined by microscopic examination on thin sections of the artifact cut normal to the surface. The rate of penetration of water is dependent upon several factors, primarily the chemical composition of the glass and the temperature at which the hydration occurred. Discussions are given of techniques for measuring the hydration thickness, measurement (or estimates) of ambient hydration temperature, chemical composition of the obsidian, and the conversion of hydration thickness to dating the time of manufacture of the artifact. Comparisons are made between the results of obsidian hydration and other dating methods.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Ambrose, W. 1976 Intrinsic hydration rate dating of obsidian. In Taylor, R.E., ed., Advances in Obsidian Glass Studies. Park Ridge, New Jersey, Noyes Press: 81–105.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ambrose, W. 1980 Monitoring long-term temperature and humidity. Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Material. Bulletin 6: 36–42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ambrose, W.R. 1994 Obsidian hydration dating of Pleistocene age site from the Manus Islands, Papua, New Guinea. Quaternary Geochronology (Quaternary Science Reviews) 13: 137–142.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bacon, C.R., Macdonald, R., Smith, R.L. and Baedecker, P.A. 1981 Pleistocene high-silica rhyolites of the Coso Volcanic Field, Inyo County, California. Journal of Geophysical Research 86(B11): 10, 223–10, 241.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bowman, H.R., Asaro, F. and Perlman, I. 1973 On the uniformity of composition in obsidians and evidence for magmatic mixing. Journal of Geology 81: 312–327.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bates, J.K., Jardine, L.J. and Steindler, M.J. 1982 Hydration aging of nuclear waste glasses. Science 218: 51–53.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bates, J.K., Abrajano, T.A., Ebert, W.L., Mazer, J.J. and Gerding, T.J. 1988 Experimental hydration studies of natural and synthetic glasses. Materials Research Society Symposium Proceedings 123: 237–244.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boyer, W.W. and Robinson, P. 1956 Obsidian artifacts of Northwestern New Mexico and their correlation with source material. El Palacio 63: 333–345.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dyson, J. 1960 Precise measurement by image-splitting. Journal of the Optical Society of America 50: 754–757.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ebert, W.L., Hoburg, R.F. and Bates, J.K. 1991 The sorption of water on obsidian and a nuclear waste glass. Physics and Chemistry of Glasses 32: 133–137.

    Google Scholar 

  • Emiliani, C. 1966 Isotopic paleotemperatures. Science 154: 857–881.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Findlow, E J. and De Atley, S.P. 1976 Photographic measurement in obsidian hydration dating. In Taylor, R.E. ed., Advances in Obsidian Glass Studies. Park Ridge, (New Jersey), Noyes Press: 165–172.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freter, A. 1992 Chronological Research at Copan. Ancient Mesoamerica 3: 117–133.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Friedman, I. 1976 Calculations of obsidian hydration rates from temperature measurements. In Taylor, E., ed., Advances in Obsidian Glass Studies. Park Ridge, (New Jersey), Noyes Press: 173–182.

    Google Scholar 

  • Friedman, I. and Evans, C. 1968 Obsidian dating revisited. Science 162: 813–81.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Friedman, I. and Long, W. 1976 Hydration rate of obsidian. Science 191: 347–352.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Friedman, I. and Smith. R.L. 1960 A new dating method using obsidian. Part 1, the development of the method. American Antiquity 25: 476–493.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Friedman, I. and Trembour, F.W. 1983 Obsidian hydration dating update. American Antiquity 48: 544–547.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Friedman, I., Trembour, E and Smith, E. 1990 Obsidian hydration rates as a function of relative humidity (Abstract). International Association for Obsidian Studies Newsletter 3: 8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Friedman, I., Trembour, EW., Smith, EL. and Smith, G.I. 1994 Is obsidian hydration dating affected by relative humidity? Quaternary Research 41: 185–190.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gordus, A.A., Wright, G.A. and Griffin, J.B. 1968 Obsidian sources characterized by neutron-activation analysis. Science 161: 382–384.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Graves, M.W. and Ladefoged, T.N. 1991 The disparity between radiocarbon and volcanic glass dates: new evidence from the island of Lana-i, Hawaii. Archaeology in Oceania 26: 70–77.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hall, M.C. and Jackson, R.J. 1989 Obsidian hydration rates in California. In Hughes, R.E., ed., Current Directions in California Obsidian Studies. Contributions of the University of California Archaeological Research Facility 48: 31-58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hammond, N. 1989 Obsidian hydration dating of Tecep Phase occupation at Nohmul, Belize. American Antiquity 54: 513–521.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hatch, J.W., Michels, J.W., Stevenson, C.M., Scheetz, B.E. and Geidel, R.A. 1990 Hopewell obsidian studies; Behavioral implications of recent sourcing and dating research. American Antiquity 55: 461–479.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, R.E. 1982 Age and exploitation of obsidian from the Medicine Lake Highland, California. Journal of Archaeological Science 9: 173–185.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, R.E. 1988a Archaeological signifidance of geochemical contrasts among southwestern New Mexico obsidians. Texas Journal of Science 40: 297–307.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, R.E. 1988b The Coso Volcanic Field reexamined: implications for obsidian sourcing and hydration dating research. Geoarchaeology 3: 253–265.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, R.E. 1989 A new look at Mono basin obsidians. In Hughes, R.E., ed., Current Directions in California Obsidian Studies. Contributions of the University of California Archaeological Research Facility 48: 1 Hughes, R.E.12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, R.E. 1992a Another look at Hopewell obsidian studies. American Antiquity 57: 515–523.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, R.E. 1992b Northern California obsidian studies: some thoughts and observations on the first two decades. Proceedings of the Society for California Archaeology 5: 113–122.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, R.E. 1993 Trace element geochemistry of volcanic glass from the Obsidian Cliffs flow, Three Sisters Wilderness, Oregon. Northwest Science 67: 199–207.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, R.E. 1994 Intrasource chemical variability of artefact-quality obsidians from the Casa Diablo area, California. Journal of Archaeological Science 21: 263–271.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, R.E. and Smith, R.L. 1993 Archaeology, geology, and geochemistry in obsidian provenance studies. In Stein, J.K. and Linse, A.R. eds., Effects of Scale on Archaeological and Geoscientific Perspectives, Geological Society of America Special Paper 283: 79-91. Boulder, Colorado.

    Google Scholar 

  • IAOS 1989 International Association for Obsidian Studies Newsletter 1: 1–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • IAOS 1993 International Association for Obsidian Studies Newsletter 8: 12–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jack, R.N. 1976 Prehistoric obsidian in California I: geochemical aspects. In Taylor, R.E., ed., Advances in Obsidian Glass Studies: Archaeological and Geochemical Perspectives. Park Ridge, New Jersey, Noyes Press: 183–217.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leach, B.F. 1977 New perspectives on dating obsidian artifacts in New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Science 20: 123–138.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leach, B.F. and Naylor, H. 1981 Dating New Zealand obsidians by resonant nuclear reactions. New Zealand Journal of Archaeology 3: 33–49.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leach, B.E and Hamel, G.E. 1984 The influence of archeological soil temperatures on obsidian hydration in New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Science 27: 399–408.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, R.R., Leich, D.A., Tombrello, T.A., Ericson, J.E. and Friedman, 1. 1974 Obsidian hydration profile measurements using a nuclear technique. Nature 250: 44–47.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lowe, J.P., Lowe, D.J., Hodder, A.P.W. and Wilson, A.T. 1984 A tritium exchange method for obsidian hydration shell measurement. Isotope Geosciences 2: 351–363.

    Google Scholar 

  • Macdonald, R., Smith, R.L. and Thomas, J.E. 1992 Chemistry of the subalkalic silicic obsidians. U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1523. Washington, D.C., U.S. Government Printing Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mazer, J.J., Stevenson, C.M., Ebert, W.L. and Bates, J.K. 1991 The experimental hydration of obsidian as a function of relative humidity and temperature. American Antiquity 56: 504–513.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meighan, C.W. 1983 Obsidian dating in California: theory and practice. American Antiquity 48: 600–609.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meighan, C.W., Foote, L.J. and Aiello, P.V. 1968 Obsidian hydration dating in west Mexico archeology. Science 160: 169–175.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meighan, C.W and Scalise, J.L. 1988 A compendium of the obsidian hydration determinations made at the UCLA obsidian hydration laboratory: Obsidian Dates IV Monograph XXIX. Institute of Archeology, University of California, Los Angeles: 473–511.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meighan, C.W. and Scalise, J.L., eds., Obsidian Dates IV 1988 A compendium of the obsidian hydration determinations made at the UCLA obsidian hydration laboratory. Monograph XXIX, Los Angeles, Institute of Archaeology, University of California.

    Google Scholar 

  • Michels, J.W. 1965 Lithic serial chronology through obsidian hydration dating. Ph.D. dissertation, University of California, Los Angeles.

    Google Scholar 

  • Michels, J.W. 1967 Archeology and dating by obsidian hydration. Science 158: 211–214.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Michels, J.W. 1981–1988 MOHLAB Technical Reports: 1-86. MOHLAB, State College, Pennsylvania.

    Google Scholar 

  • Michels, J.W. 1982 Bulk element composition versus trace element composition in the reconstruction of an obsidian source system. Journal of Archaeological Science 9: 113–123.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Michels, J.W., Atzeni, E., Tsong, I.S.T., and Smith, G.A. 1983 Sardinian archeology and obsidian dating, In Balmuth, M.S., ed., Studies in Sardinian Archeology. Ann Arbor, University of Michigan Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morganstein, M. and Felsher, M. 1971 The origin of manganese nodules: A combined theory with special reference to palagonitization. Pacific Science 25: 301–307.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nelson, F.W. 1985 Summary of the results of analysis of obsidain artifacts from the Maya Lowlands. Scanning Electron Microscopy 2: 631–649.

    Google Scholar 

  • Norton, D.R. and Friedman, 1. 1981 Ground temperature measurements: Part I, Pallman Technique. U.S. Geological Professional Paper 1203: 1–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Origer, T.M. 1989 Hydration analysis of obsidian flakes produced by Ishi during the Historic period. In Hughes, R.E., ed., Current Directions in California Obsidian Studies. Contributions of the University of California Archaeological Research Facility 48: 69-77.

    Google Scholar 

  • Origer, T.M. and Wickstrom, B.P. 1982 The use of hydration measurements to date obsidian materials from Sonoma County, California. Journal of California and Great Basin Anthropology 4: 123–131.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pavesic, M.G. 1985 Cache blades and Turkey Tails: piecing together the Western Idaho Archaic Burial Complex. In Plew, M.G., Woods, J.C. and Pavesic, M.G., eds., Stone Tool Analysis: Essays in Honor of Don E. Crabtree. Albuquerque, University of New Mexico Press: 55–89.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pierce, K.L., Obradovich, J.D. and Friedman, I. 1976 Obsidian hydration dating and correlation of Bull Lake and Pinedale Glaciations near West Yellowstone, Montana. Geological Society of America Bulletin 87: 703–710.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Redfield, A.C. 1965a Terrestrial heat flow through salt-marsh peat. Science 148: 1219–1220.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Redfield, A.C. 1965b The thermal regime in salt marsh peat at Barnstable, Massachusetts. Tellus 18: 246–259.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosendahl, P.H., Haun, A.E., Halbig, J.B., Kaschko, M. and Allen, M.S. 1987 Kahoolawe excavations, 1982–83 data recovery project, island of Kahoolawe, Hawaii: draft report. Hilo, Hawaii, Paul H. Rosendahl Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ross, C.S. and Smith, R.L. 1955 Water and other volatiles in volcanic glasses. American Mineralogist 40: 1071–1089.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scarborough, V.L. 1989 Site structure of a village of the Late Pithouse-Early Pueblo Period in New Mexico. Journal of Field Archaeology 16: 405–425.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schilt, R. 1984 Subsistence and conflict in Kona, Hawaii: An archeological study of the Kuakini highway realignment corridor. Departmental Report Series 84-1. Honolulu, Department of Anthropology, B.P. Bishop Museum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shackley, M.S. 1988 Sources of archaeological obsidian in the Southwest: an archaeological, petrological, and geochemical study. American Antiquity 53: 752–772.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Skinner, C.E. and Tremaine, K.J. 1993 Obsidian: An interdisciplinary bibliography. International Association for Obsidian Studies Occasional Paper No. 1. San Jose, California: 1–174.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stevenson, C.M. and Scheetz, B.E. 1989 Induced hydration rate development of obsidians from the Coso Volcanic Field: A comparison of experimental procedures. In Hughes, R.E. ed., Current Directions in California Obsidian Studies. Contributions of the University of California Archaeological Research Facility 48: 23-30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stevenson, C.M., Carpenter, J. and Scheetz, B.E. 1989 Obsidian Dating: Recent advances in the experimental determination and application of hydration rates. Archaeometry 31: 193–206.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stevenson, C.M., Scheetz, B.E. and Hatch, J.W. 1992 Reply to Hughes. American Antiquity 57: 524–525.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stevenson, C.M., Knaus, E., Mazer, J.J. and Bates, J.K. 1993 Homogeneity of water content in obsidian from Coso Volcanic field: Implications for obsidian hydration dating. Geoarchaeology 8: 371–384.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suzuki, M. 1973 Chronology of prehistoric human activity in Konto, Japan. Journal of the Faculty of Science, The University of Tokyo No. IV, Sec. V, Part 3: 241–318.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tremaine, K.J. and Fredrickson, D.A. 1988 Induced obsidian hydration experiments: An investigation in relative dating. In Sayre, E., ed., Materials Issues in Art and Archeology. Materials Research Society Symposium Proceedings 123: 271-278.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trembour, F.W. 1983 Obsidian hydration study of prismatic blade fragments from the Cambio site; Appendix 10-A, In Sheets, P., ed., Archeology and Volcanism in Central America. Austin, University of Texas Press: 224–226.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trembour, F., Friedman, I., Jurceka, F.J. and Smith, F.L, 1986 A simple device for integrating temperature, relative humidity, and salinity over time. Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology 3: 186–190.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Trembour, F., Smith, F.L. and Friedman, I. 1988 Cells for integrating temperature and humidity over long periods of time. In Sayre, E., ed., Materials Issues in Art and Archeology Materials, Materials Research Society Symposium Proceedings 123: 245-251.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trembour, F.W. 1992 Hydration dating of obsidian artifacts from the Sacred Cenote, Chichen Itza; Appendix 6.A, In Coggins, C.C., ed., Artifacts from the Cenote of Sacrifice, Chichen Itza, Yucatan. Cambridge, Harvard University Press: 179–181.

    Google Scholar 

  • Webster, D. and Freter, A. 1990 Settlement history and classic collapse at Copan: A redefined Chronological perspective. Latin American Antiquity 1: 66–85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Welch, D.J. 1989 Archeological investigations at Pauoa Bay (Ritz-Carlton Mauna Lani Report) South Kohala, Hawaii. Honolulu, International Archeological Research.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilcox, R.E. 1964 Immersion liquids of relatively strong dispersion in the low refractive index range (1.46 to 1.52). American Mineralogist 49: 683–688.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilcox, R.E. 1983 Refractive index determination using the central focal masking technique with dispersion colors. American Mineralogist 68: 1226–1236.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Isotope Geology, United States Geological Survey, Denver, Colorado, 80225, USA

    Irving Friedman & Fred W. Trembour

  2. Geochemical Research Laboratory, Portola Valley, California, 94028, USA

    Richard E. Hughes

Authors
  1. Irving Friedman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Fred W. Trembour
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Richard E. Hughes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Radiocarbon Laboratory, Department of Anthropology, Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, University of California, Riverside, California, 95251, USA

    R. E. Taylor

  2. Research Laboratory for Archaeology, Oxford University, OX1 3QJ, UK

    Martin J. Aitken

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1997 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Friedman, I., Trembour, F.W., Hughes, R.E. (1997). Obsidian Hydration Dating. In: Taylor, R.E., Aitken, M.J. (eds) Chronometric Dating in Archaeology. Advances in Archaeological and Museum Science, vol 2. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-9694-0_10

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-9694-0_10

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4757-9696-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4757-9694-0

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation