geoarchaeology
Archaeologists utilize tools from geology and geochemistry to study the elemental compositions of artifacts such as obsidian, metals, and ceramics. Akin to geochemical “fingerprints,” geological sources often exhibit unique elemental compositions. Using both artifact and geologic source materials, we can trace an artifact’s raw materials back to their origins, or provenance even if that artifact was discarded hundreds of kilometers away. Provenance analyses allow us to reconstruct the entire technological sequence or life history of an artifact beginning with the original procurement of its raw materials.
- Dinolite microscope photographs of ceramic paste groups. Distinct clays sources and tempers provide information on different recipes and production areas for ceramics.
- Obsidian nodules that have been mined and prepared for transport, likely by llama caravan.
A major goal of Empires in Motion is to better understand what was being transported across the vast and complex network of roads and trails that connected distant parts of the Andes. Investigations of obsidian and ceramic materials using portable-XRF and LA-ICP-MS is conducted through the Field Museum of Natural History's Elemental Analysis Facility (link here). These results help us understand the movement of exotic prestige items that were likely major components of Wari and Inka economies.
For example, very fine Wari ceramics recovered from the temple center Pakaytambo show local clay signatures, suggesting skilled Wari artisans and potters resided and worked at this enclave, far from the Wari capital.
To better understand the distribution of obsidian, a volcanic glass over 100x sharper than surgical steel, I partner with several scholars to investigate and map the obsidian sources high in the Andes.
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