1.3. Conclusion

This dissertation combines a theoretical discussion of economy in anthropology and a review of existing knowledge regarding Chivay obsidian in the south-central Andes with new data from the Upper Colca research project. The significance and implications of the data presented here will be need to be reassessed in the future when investigators are provided with additional chemical sourcing studies, new archaeological research in the south-central Andes, and further studies of the Colca area itself.