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
File Size
4997.12 KB
Degree Grantor
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Language
English
Permissions
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Repository Citation
Haarklau, Lynn Ellen, "Steward's southern Great Basin research validated through obsidian artifact sources" (2002). UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations. 1424.
http://dx.doi.org/10.25669/7jxp-7e1e
Rights
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