Preliminary characterization and regional comparison of the Dasht-i-Nawur obsidian source near Ghazni, Afghanistan

• Published in: Journal of archaeological science Vol. 39; no. 7; pp. 2320 - 2328
• Main Authors: Boulanger, Matthew T., Davis, Richard S., Glascock, Michael D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: Afghanistan; Asia; Central Asia; Epi-Paleolithic; Excavation and methods; Laboratory archives; Laboratory methods; Lithic industry; Mesolithic; Methodology and general studies; Neutron activation analysis; Obsidian; Palaeolithic and mesolithic; Physical and chemical analysis; Prehistory and protohistory; Typology, technology and attribute analysis; X-ray fluorescence; Mesolithic; Epipalaeolithic; Near East; Asia; Afghanistan; Epi-Paleolithic; Afghanistan; Neutron activation analysis; X-ray fluorescence; Mesolithic; Obsidian; Laboratory archives; X ray fluorescence; Archaeometry; Identification; Neutron activation; Source; Comparison; Analysis; Archives
• ISSN: 0305-4403; 1095-9238
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jas.2012.01.038

Archaeologists have known that an obsidian source exists in the Dasht-i-Nawur basin of central Afghanistan since at least the 1970s; however, regional political turmoil and instability have prevented in-depth study of this source. Data presented here from recent analyses of archival specimens of obsidian collected during a 1976 survey provide a preliminary geochemical profile for this obsidian source. These data suggest that the Dasht-i-Nawur source is easily distinguishable from other obsidian sources in the Near East and southwest Asia. Comparison of these data to an existing database of artifact compositional profiles suggests that initial hypotheses about restricted distribution of the Dasht obsidian may be correct. These data provide for the first time the characterization of a long-known but poorly studied obsidian source. Additionally, this study serves as one example of the benefits gained through working to maintain and preserve data archives of now-closed laboratories. ► Obsidian source in central Afghanistan identified in the 1970s, but not studied since that time. ► Archival specimens analyzed using multiple geochemical methods. ► Preliminary characterization of the Dasht-i-Nawur source is provided. ► Comparisons of these data to regional obsidian source groups suggest it is chemically unique. ► This is just one example of how work to preserve laboratory archives can benefit current research.