Abstract

Analysis was performed on a 31-artifact sample of Late Terminal Formative obsidian excavated in 2003 from the archaeological site of Yugüe in the Lower Verde Valley of Oaxaca. This analysis was performed to determine the geochemical sources of the individual obsidian artifacts and replicate a prior study of Yugüe obsidian performed by David T. Williams for his thesis at the University of Colorado. This earlier analysis determined that five obsidian sources were present. Sourcing was accomplished using a handheld X-Ray fluorescence instrument and bivariate plotting of relevant trace elements. Five sources of obsidian were found during analysis: Pachuca, Otumba, Paredon, Guadalupe Victoria, and Zaragoza. Williams identified additional sources that were not identified in this study, but he also may have sampled artifacts from the site from other excavations. This previous analysis by Williams also did not attribute sources to individual artifacts, making it impossible for archaeological conclusions to be drawn about the life histories of particular artifacts. By attributing sources to individual artifacts during analysis, this project provides valuable context about both the site of Yugüe during the Terminal Formative period and the lower Rio Verde Valley.

Thesis Completion

2021

Semester

Spring

Thesis Chair/Advisor

Kovacevich, Brigitte

Degree

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

College

College of Sciences

Department

Anthropology

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Release Date

5-1-2021

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