Obsidian Source Use in Tongan Prehistory: New Results and Implications

Christian Reepmeyer*, Geoffrey Clark, Peter Sheppard

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    16 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    The article presents results of an obsidian sourcing study on artifacts from Tonga and Fiji. New LA-ICPMS data on obsidian source locations on Tafahi in northern Tonga are discussed in relation to inter-island mobility during two important phases in the Central Pacific: the late-Lapita phase in Fiji-West Polynesia at 2700-2600 cal. BP and during the time of the rise of Polynesian chiefdoms at ~1000-400 cal. BP. The sourcing results indicate that two sources of obsidian were exploited during Tongan prehistory. It is suggested that different modes of interaction were responsible for obsidian movement during the early and late phases of Tongan prehistory.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)255-271
    Number of pages17
    JournalJournal of Island and Coastal Archaeology
    Volume7
    Issue number2
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Aug 2012

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