Award Date

1-1-2002

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Anthropology

First Committee Member

Alan Simmons

Number of Pages

167

Abstract

Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) analysis of obsidian artifacts collected from ethnohistoric sites in southern Nevada revealed patterns consistent with Julian Steward's documentation of Western Shoshone socioeconomics. Specific obsidian sources were predicted to be present in artifact samples collected from six sites in the study area. Predictions were based on Steward's documentation of Lida Vicinity, Kawich Mountains, and Beatty/Belted Mountains Shoshone subsistence travels and inter-district festival relationships. Using Steward's data, criteria were established for field identification of Shoshone winter camps. Data review and field reconnaissance resulted in identifying six camps. Samples of obsidian tool manufacturing/maintenance debris collected from the sites were submitted for geochemical analysis. Results indicate that Shoshone people of the study area mostly procured obsidians during subsistence travels, but some were acquired during inter-district subsistence activities and fall festival events.

Keywords

Artifacts; Great Basin; Nevada; Obsidian; Research Sources; Southern; Julian Steward; Validated

Controlled Subject

Archaeology; Ethnology; Indians of North America--Study and teaching

File Format

pdf

File Size

4997.12 KB

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

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