Obsidian sources characterized by neutron-activation analysis
Gordus AA, Wright GA, Griffin JB. 1968. Obsidian sources characterized by neutron-activation analysis. Science. 161(3839):382-384
Concetrations of elements such as manganese, scandium, lanthanum, rubidium, samarium, barium, and zirconium in obsidian samples from different flows show ranges of 1000 percent or more, whereas the variation in element content in obsidian samples from a single flow appear to be less than 40 percent. Neutron-activation analysis of these elements, as well as of sodium and iron, provides a means of identifying the geologic source of an archeological artifact of obsidian.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Gordus, Adon; Wright, Gary; Griffin, James
- Units
- YELL
- Keywords
- Barium (Ba), Geochemistry, Geology, Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Obsidian, Obsidian Cliff, Rocks, Sodium (Na)