Kevin J. Vaughn and Michael Glascock

EXCHANGE OF QUISPISISA OBISIDIAN IN NASCA: NEW EVIDENCE
FROM MARCAYA

Andean Past 7:93-110.

Abstract

The use of Quispisisa obsidian, whose source was recently relocated (Burger
and Glascock 2000) was widespread throughout prehistory in the Central
Andes. Burger and Asaro's (1979) study chemically analyzing obsidian
artifacts throughout the Andean region demonstrated that obsidian from this
source dominated assemblages at prehispanic sites from the south coast of
Peru. In this paper, we provide data from Marcaya, an Early Nasca village,
where a small quantity of obsidian artifacts in the form of debitage and
finished tools were recovered in excavations. A sample of the artifacts were
analyzed with an abbreviated neutron activation analysis at the Research
Reactor University of Missouri. Our analysis shows that the entire sample
from Marcaya is from the Quispisisa source. We discuss implications for
these data and suggest that they provide further evidence that Quispisisa
obsidian was used to the exclusion of other types of obsidian on the south
coast of Peru during the Early Intermediate Period. We also discuss models
of exchange and distribution of obsidian from the village context, and
suggest that the evidence indicates that obsidian was either brought to
Marcaya by llama caravans and exchanged for local goods, or was directly
exploited by occasional trips to the highlands by coastal dwellers.