Geochemical Characterization of Obsidian Subsources in Highland Guatemala
Open Access
Author:
Carr, Sean Peter
Area of Honors:
Anthropology
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Kenneth Gale Hirth, Thesis Supervisor Timothy Michael Ryan, Thesis Honors Advisor Sarah Barbara Mcclure, Faculty Reader
Keywords:
Obsidian Guatemala Portable X-Ray Fluorescence pXRF Geographic Information Systems GIS
Abstract:
This thesis geochemically and geographically identifies obsidian subsources in the Valley of Guatemala and the surrounding region. It particularly focuses on the major source systems of El Chayal, San Martin Jilotepeque, and Ixtepeque. Geochemical trace-element characterizations are made using Portable X-ray Fluorescence (pXRF) spectrometry. The subsources are then mapped onto the landscape using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The characterization of these subsources increases our understanding of the possible sources from which pre-Hispanic Mesoamericans obtained obsidian. Obsidian subsources are archaeologically significant because the resource had an important role in the ancient economy of the region.
