Long-term obsidian use at the Jerimalai rock shelter in East Timor

Abstract

We report new evidence from East Timor for the long-term prehistoric use of a single high-silicate obsidian source. Ten artefacts from Jerimalai shelter in East Timor analysed with SEM/EDXA and LA-ICPMS demonstrate the exploitation of this source began in the Pleistocene by 42,000 cal. BP, and continued to be used periodically into the mid to late Holocene. The data supports previous results suggesting that a high-silicate obsidian of unknown location has been transported over considerable distance to rock shelter sites in the east of Timor. Show more