Obsidian sourcing analysis by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) for the Neolithic sites of Slavnaya 4 and 5, Sakhalin Islands (Russia). (December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Izuho, Masami; Ferguson, Jeffrey R.; Vasilevski, Alexander; Grishchenko, Vyacheslav; Yamada, Satoru; Oda, Noriyoshi; Sato, Hiroyuki
• Is Part Of: Archaeological research in Asia. Volume 12(2017)
• Page Start: 54
• Page End: 60
• Publication Date: 2017-12
• Subjects: Obsidian -- Slavnaya 4 and 5 sites -- Handheld X-ray fluorescence analysis -- Early Neolithic -- Sakhalin (Russia) -- Hokkaido (Japan); Archaeology -- Research -- Asia -- Periodicals; Asia -- Antiquities -- Periodicals; 930.1095
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ara.2017.09.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-2267

Abstract

Abstract: Here we report the results of obsidian sourcing analysis by XRF for 13 specimens in total from the two Neolithic sites of the Slavnaya 4 and 5 on Sakhalin Islands (Russia). The results show that stone tools and blade cores from Slavnaya 4 and 5 sites were made of obsidian from two sources on Hokkaido (Japan): Shirataki-Akaishiyama and Oketo-Tokoroyama. Evidence of on-site reduction of two blade cores from Shirataki Akaishiyama obsidian suggest that the Neolithic people transported sizeable blade cores > 400 km from the source for the purpose of primary blade reduction to supply blanks for tool manufacture.