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Click here for details about our ongoing field work projects - last updated on 06/18/2009

Click here to see our source map collection that's available for downloading


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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 artifact trace element provenance ("sourcing") studies 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 methodological and source information that supplements and supports our contract investigations and research interests.

The obsidian hydration laboratory is again open for business

THE OBSIDIAN HYDRATION LABORATORY IS OPEN: We reopened the doors on the obsidian hydration laboratory on April 1st of this year. Click HERE for the rest of the story.

Lab report compendium

SELECTED OBSIDIAN SOURCE MAPS ARE NOW AVAILABLE: We're currently working hard at producing obsidian source maps for the western United States. To see how we're progressing, click HERE. Next up for sompletion are a series of OREGON maps.

Lab report compendium

SPRING 2009 LAB NEWSLETTER: For a look at our spring newsletter, click HERE.

Lab report compendium

NEW LAB FORMS ARE AVAILABLE: Looking for the latest lab forms? To download them, click HERE.

Lab website makeover

ONLINE INTERACTIVE PANORAMAS: We've lately been exploring the use of javascript-fueled panoramas as a way to supplement our online resources. Click HERE to have a look at our initial collection.

Lab report compendium

LAB REPORT COMPENDIUM: We've been mighty busy over the years and have analyzed well over 60,000 artifacts since the lab opened in 1992. To see a list of all of the many reports that have been produced since then, click HERE.

Lab docs, articles, 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.

Canadian obsidian source list

CANADIAN OBSIDIAN SOURCE LIST: We've recently added Canadian obsidian sources to our obsidian source catalog and are actively working on filling out our source reference database for that country. If you have source material to share and are interested in joining in the fun, we'd like to hear from you.

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 the U. S. and Canada obsidian source catalog.  Photo: Newberry Caldera, Oregon. OBSIDIAN SOURCE CATALOG


Go to the FGV (fine-grained volcanic) and basalt source catalog - a major update is coming soon.  Photos: Lake Tahoe panorama and basalt gravel beach at Carnelian Bay, Lake Tahoe. FGV SOURCE CATALOG


Last Updated: 07/01/2009
Voice: 541-754-7507 | E-mail: cskinner@obsidianlab.com
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