Reference Set (RS) of obsidian for provenance analysis of archaeological obsidian

What is the Reference Set (RS)?

• Compositional data and corresponding geological obsidian specimens from each source are essential for conducting a successful provenance analysis of archaeological obsidian artefacts. 

• We gathered and stored several hundred obsidian specimens from sources in Japan and other regions worldwide. Then, we analysed them using WDXRF at COLS, Meiji University, to determine their whole-rock compositions. 

• The specimens analysed by WDXRF serve as a "reference dataset" for provenance analysis, which we refer to as the Reference Set (RS).

• Visit the "Database" page regarding the detailed information for RS.

Storage of reference set of obsidian in the obsidian XRF labratory, Nagasaki University

Facilities of obsidian XRF labratory in Nagasaki University