M. Járó - L. Költő szerk.: Archaeometrical research in Hungary (Budapest, 1988)

Analysis - BIRÓ Katalin, POZSGAI Imre, VLADÁR András: Central European obsidian studies. State of affain in 1987

Conclusions Obsidian analysis in Central Europe is now in a state of good practical knowledge, lacking, however, a constant routine foranalysis. Problems we must think of and, probably, solve if we wish to continue successfully examining archaeological obsidian are partly scientific, partly financial. As it is easier to work on the scientific problems, let us summarize them briefly. It is essential to solve the following problems: 1. to conduct systematical fieldwork on territories claimed to be sources of archaeological obsidian, especially in Transcarpathian Ukraine and Romania 2. systematic collection of archaeological obsidian distribution within the supply zone of the Central European obisian 3. for the method of energy dispersive X-ray analysis we are using, a quantification of the data (technically already solved, [33]) 4. extensive use of complementary techniques, especially Fission Track Dating. Bearing in might existing problems, we can say that the present knowledge and analytical methods available today can serve reliably the source characterization of obsidian artefacts from archaeological sites in Hungary. In case of interaction zones with Anatolia, as well as checking claimed potential sources of archaeological obsidian, more work is needed as yet. Our good results in the analyses of archaeological pieces speak for the utility of the method as well as a good level of knowledge on existing sources. References 1. Tite, M. S.: Methods of physical examination in archaeology. London, 1972 2. Taylor, R. E. (ed.): Advances in obsidian glass studies, New Yersey, 1976 3. Bíró Katalin: Az obszicián archae orne triai vizsgálata (Archaeometrical investigation of obsidian). Budapest, Régészeti Továbbképző Füzetek, 1982,1,56—64 4. Rómer Flóris: Első obsidian-eszközök Magyarországon (First obsidian implements in Hungary). Archaeológiai Közlemények, 1867,7,161—166 5. Rómer Flóris: Les silex taillés et les obsidiennes en Hongrie. Budapest, Congr. Int. d'Arch. Prehist VIII. Compte-Rendu 2,1878,6-17 6. Szabó József: A Tokaj-Hegyalja obsidiánjai (Obsidians of the Tokaj mts). Pest, A Magyarhoni Földtani Társulat Munkálatai, 1867,3,147—172 7. Szádeczky Gyula: A magyarországi obsidiánok, különös tekintettel geológiai viszonyaikra. (Hungarian obsidians, with special regard to their geological relations). Budapest, Értekezések a természettudományok köréből, 1886,16,1-64 8. Roska Márton: Adatok Erdély őskori kereskedelmi, művelődési és népvándorlási útjaihoz (Data on the trade, cultural and migrational routes of prehistoric Transsylvania). Archaeológiai Értesítő, 1934,47,149-158 9. Jansak, Stefan: Praveké sidliska s obsidianovou industriou na Vychodnom Slovensku. Bratislava, 1935 10. Gábori Miklós: Az őskori obszidián-kereskedelem néhány problémája (Some problems of prehistoric obsidian trade), Archaeológiai Értesítő, 1950,77,50—53 11. Vértes László: Az őskőkor társadalmának néhány kérdéséről (On some questions concerning palaeolithic society). Archaeológiai Értesítő, 1953,80,89—103 12. T. Bíró Katalin: A kárpáti obszidián és vizsgálata (The Carpathian obsidian), Budapest, manuscript, 1980 13. T. Bíró Katalin: Distribution of obsidian from the Carpathian Sources on Central European Palaeolithic and Mesolithic sites, Acta Archaeologia Carpathica, 1984,23, 5-42