Handheld X-ray fluorescence geochemical data of geological and archaeological obsidian from Sonora, Mexico

Jesús Roberto Vidal-Solano*, Alejandra Marisela Gómez-Valencia, Adriana Hinojo-Hinojo, Rufino Lozano Santa Cruz

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Geochemical detection using a portable XRF analyser is highly effective for nondestructive surface analysis in archaeological and geological obsidians. The data obtained in rock slabs, fragments, anhydrous nuclei, flaked and ground stone from Sonora, Mexico, were used to select certain analysed elements (Fe, Mn, Zr, Nb, Y, Th, Rb, Sr, Zn) that help to formulate geochemical variation diagrams to identify chemical trends and correlations between the samples. It proves to be an excellent analytical method for the provenance studies of archaeological artifacts. Subsequently, the integration of the obtained data here and their arrangement with the existing chemical analysis of obsidians for different localities of NW Mexico and the SW of the United States will allow for better knowledge of the primary sources of obsidian in the extraction and manufacture of archaeological artifacts.

Original languageEnglish
Article number106410
JournalData in Brief
Volume33
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2020

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The x-ray fluorescence analyses were performed at the Servicio Geol?gico Mexicano (Gerencia Noroeste) and we appreciate the assistance received from Engr. Pedro Ygnacio Hern?ndez R?bago, Engr. Francisco Cendejas Cruz and Geol. Guadalupe Zapata. The manufacturing of the rock slabs was done in the Lamination Laboratory ERNO-UNAM, thanks to Geol. Adriana Aim? Orc? Romero. The authors extend special thanks to the following archaeological projects directed by Centro INAH Sonora and the University of Sonora and those who conducted them: (1) Proyecto Arqueol?gico La Pintada/ Arqlga. Blanca Er?ndira Contreras Barrag?n; (2) Proyecto Arqueol?gico Sierra Alta de Sonora/ Arqlgo. J?piter Mart?nez; (3) Colecciones comparativas de los materiales arqueol?gicos bajo custodia del Centro INAH Sonora/ Arqlgo. J?piter Martinez and Adriana Hinojo Hinojo; (4) 61198 CONACYT Project "Study of eruptive mechanism and petrogenesis of the peralkaline volcanism in NW Mexico (Sonora and Baja California)"/Dr. Jesus Roberto Vidal Solano; and (5) 180784 CONACYT Project "Geodynamic Evolution of the Proto-Gulf of California: Emphasis on the volcanic remains of the Miocene in Sonora, Mexico" /Dr. Jesus Roberto Vidal Solano.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 The Author(s)

Copyright:
Copyright 2020 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • Archaeological artifacts
  • Energy-dispersive XRF
  • Geochemical data
  • NW Mexico
  • Obsidian

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