The characterization of New Zealand obsidian sources by use of Thermoluminescence

Abstract
Samples from twenty-two New Zealand obsidian sources were subjected to thermoluminescence analysis. It was found that the glow curve shapes and the amount of artificial thermoluminescence induced under standard conditions of β irradiation were characteristic of individual sources. An identification scheme is suggested based on these criteria wruch can be used by archaeologists attempting to document trade and gift exchange networks from prehistoric evidence.