An Initial Examination of Prehistoric Obsidian Exchange in Hidalgo County New Mexico

Abstract

Recent archaeological surveys in southwestern New Mexico have produced a large volume of data relating to the prehistoric procurement and exchange of obsidian from the Antelope Wells source in Hidalgo County, New Mexico. The volume of these data, together with the relative geological isolation of this obsidian source, has produced a situation in which the regional exchange of this obsidian can be observed in the complete absence of competing obsidian source areas. The initial analyses of these data have made it possible to work out both empirical descriptions and mathematical models illustrating the exchange of this obsidian in the face of a variety of environmental and cultural constraints.