Abstract
A systematic approach to sample collection, chemical analysis, and statistical evaluation of obsidian sources is recommended before significant numbers of artifacts should be analyzed. Multivariate statistical methods based on Mahalanobis D 2 enable robust rejection of erroneous source assignments and lead to sourcing of artifacts with a very high degree of confidence. These multivariate procedures can also assist in identifying and evaluating abbreviated analytical methods that are more rapid and less expensive. Test cases based on obsidian data from sources in Mesoamerica are presented.
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Glascock, M.D., Braswell, G.E., Cobean, R.H. (1998). A Systematic Approach to Obsidian Source Characterization. In: Shackley, M.S. (eds) Archaeological Obsidian Studies. Advances in Archaeological and Museum Science, vol 3. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-9276-8_2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-9276-8_2
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