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Welcome to Northwest Research Obsidian Studies Laboratory

Welcome to the Northwest Research Obsidian Studies Laboratory website. We offer a variety of different analytical services related to obsidian trace element characterization provenance ("sourcing") studies, obsidian hydration analysis, and obsidian source studies, primarily in the context of archaeological research. We also provide nondestructive artifact characterization studies for fine-grained volcanic materials (including basalt) in the Lake Tahoe region of California and a few other selected locations. This website describes our services and provides obsidian source information that supplements and supports our contract investigations and research interests.

Upcoming OH lab closure

OBSIDIAN HYDRATION SERVICES WILL NO LONGER BE OFFERED AFTER JULY: The XRF lab services are expanding in 2008 BUT we are discontinuing hydration analysis services on July 1, 2008. For more about this, click HERE.

Summer schedule update

ANNUAL SUMMER LAB SCHEDULE NOTICE: The XRF lab is semi-closed every summer during the months of July and August so please plan accordingly this summer. Click HERE for more details.

Summer schedule update

LAB WEBSITE UPDATE IS UNDER WAY: In light of the hydration lab closure, we're busy tinkering under the hood of the lab websites and are gradually adding some new features and support options. Click HERE for more.

Lab support for grad students and other researchers

2008 LAB GRANT DEADLINES: The application deadline for our 2008 lab grant is rapidly approaching on May 31, 2008. In addition to the annual grant, we are particularly amenable to providing free laboratory analytical support for geoarchaeological and geochemical investigations of obsidian sources. Click HERE for more details.

Dissertations and theses

DOWNLOADS: In addition to our collection of articles and reports, we're compiling a growing selection of dissertations and theses available for downloading and would like to add some more. If your graduate research involved obsidian and you would like to join the list, please let us know.

GIS information for sources

MAPPING AND GIS SUPPORT: Use the information and tools on our mapping support page to help in the construction of maps, computation of distances and directions, and more.


Go to U. S. and Canada obsidian source catalog OBSIDIAN SOURCE CATALOG


Go to the basalt and FGV (fine-grained volcanic) source catalog FGV SOURCE CATALOG


Last Updated: 05/13/2008
Voice: 541-754-7507 | E-mail: cskinner@obsidianlab.com
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