Crossing the Borders: New Methods and Techniques in the Study of Archaeological Materials from the Caribbean

Geochemical Techniques in Discriminating Chert Materials / 63
region. Closer look at the Sorcé samples revealed that most have an unknown
origin, suggesting that there are sources in the region not known to us.
This highlights another outcome of this research: the existence of a number
of unknown sources. A significant but generally minor portion of the analyzed
samples produced chemical values that did not match the chemical characteristics
of the different source sites. In particular for the Sorcé site on Vieques, where
the majority of the chert artifacts could not be provenanced, this holds true. Most
probable locations for these unknown chert sources are either the Central Plain
Group on Antigua, where additional chert outcrops exist to the ones sampled, the
western part of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and possibly St. Martin.
Conclusion and Final Remarks
In this chapter we have reviewed the methodology with which a number of potential
chert sources in the northern Lesser Antilles and Puerto Rico were discriminated
in order to be able to source prehistoric artifacts. Geochemical analysis
using ICPAES in association with macroscopic and microscopic analysis not
only provided a strong empirical basis for distinction but also offered a better understanding
for source variability. From careful comparison of data between the
sources, it is evident that intersource variation is primarily a result of host- rock
variability and to a lesser degree dependent on variation in time and space. Weathering
also has a significant effect on trace element composition. Generally, the final
effect is disadvantageous for source discrimination, as intrasource variability increases.
Under specific circumstances, however, as is shown by the Blackman’s
Point material, it can have a differentiating effect.
Correct artifact assignment to the level of source locations proves to be difficult
in some cases due to significant overlap between sources from similar geological
origins. Discriminating geologically related source groups, or distinguishing the
three different islands, produces far better results. The analysis of a number of
chert artifacts from different Ceramic Age sites in the northern Lesser Antilles
showed that the Long Island flint source on Antigua was the major source for the
manufacture of flake tools in this region throughout the entire Ceramic Age. These
results show that the indigenous populations of the Lesser Antilles particularly
chose this source for the manufacture of their flake tools and that other sources
were of less importance. This knowledge has formed the basis of a more elaborate
study on distribution and exchange of stone materials among the northern Lesser
Antilles, which proved that not only Long Island flint but also other rock materials
were widely distributed and exchanged among the different small islands.
This study has shown that the use of archaeometric techniques, though time
consuming and expensive, provides a strong objective empirical basis for artifact
provenance. When used systematically it will finally give us a detailed insight on
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