■ Scope

The Japanese Obsidian Database is a research platform designed to support obsidian provenance analysis in archaeology through the integration of geochemical data, reference materials, and analytical tools.

This website provides:

• Systematic information on obsidian discriminant (compositional) groups across the Japanese archipelago

• Geographic distribution data for each compositional group

• Representative elemental compositions determined by WDXRF

• Access to the Japanese Obsidian Standards (JOS) and reference obsidian specimens through a regulated loan system

• Analytical tools and data-processing frameworks for provenance analysis using EDXRF

The database aims to reduce technical barriers to obsidian provenance analysis by providing standardised datasets, calibration frameworks, and user-friendly interfaces.

It is designed to facilitate the expansion of analytical capabilities in cultural heritage institutions and research laboratories across Japan, and to promote comparability of analytical data both nationally and internationally. For a detailed description of the methodology and framework, see:

Suda, Y. and Ikeya, N. (in press) The Japanese obsidian database: a website providing comprehensive support for obsidian provenance analysis in archaeology. International Association for Obsidian Studies Bulletin 76.