UPPER COLCA ARCHAEOLOGICAL
RESEARCH PROJECT
Arequipa, Peru
A REGIONAL GIS DATABASE OF OBSIDIAN DISTRIBUTIONS
The prehistoric significance of Colca obsidian production is known largely from the regional patterns of obsidian utilization at sites throughout the south-central Andes. In order to best evaluate distribution patterns in the use and exchange of obsidian through time I have begun to systematically compile references to obsidian sourcing efforts in the Andes into a Geographical Information System (GIS). Below I have listed the published and unpublished sources that I have included in the GIS to date (Feb 2005). The obsidian proveniencing GIS is currently confined to the central and south-central Andes. Examples of the contents of the relational database tables are posted online, please take a moment to visit the Regional GIS Example webpage associated with this page.
If you can suggest additional references, or would like to share the results of analyses, I would be grateful. Please contact me at nico@umail.ucsb.edu. Further down on the webpage I've also reproduced a list of sites included in the GIS so far.
For use in future sourcing work I have put together a short form that solicits the kind of contextual information for obsidian samples that, ideally, will be available for every sample in the GIS database. I aim to use this data in a derived form in my dissertation and publications, and I anticipate sharing the raw data with researchers in the future.
Literature references to obsidian studies in the central and south-central Andes
Please email me with any additions / corrections.
Aldenderfer, Mark S. 1998 Montane Foragers: Asana and the south-central Andean Archaic . University of Iowa Press, Iowa City .
Brooks, Sarah O. 1998 Prehistoric agricultural terraces in the Rio Japo Basin, Colca Valley, Peru. Ph. D. Dissertation, University of Wisconsin .
Brooks, Sarah O., Michael D. Glascock and Martin Giesso 1997 Source of volcanic glass for ancient Andean tools. Nature 376:449-450.
Burger, R. L., Frank Asaro, Helen V. Michael, Fred H. Stross and Ernesto Salazar 1994 An initial consideration of obsidian procurement and exchange in prehispanic Ecuador . Latin American Antiquity 5(3):228-255.
Burger, Richard L. 1993 La distribución y procedencia de artefactos de obsidiana durante el periodo inicial y horizonte temprano. In Emergencia de la civilizacion en los Andes: Ensayos de Interpretación , edited by Richard L. Burger, pp. 189-264. UNMSM, LIMA.
Burger, Richard L. and Frank Asaro 1977 Trace element analysis of obsidian artifacts from the Andes: new perspectives on pre-hispanic economic interaction in Peru and Bolivia - LBL6343 . Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, Berkeley.
Burger, Richard L. and Frank Asaro 1978 Obsidian distribution and provenience in the central highlands and coast of Peru during the Preceramic Period . Contributions to the University of California Archaeology Research Facility 36. University of California , Berkeley , pp. 61-83.
Burger, Richard L., Frank Asaro, Paul Trawick, and Fred Stross 1998 The Alca Obsidian Source: The origin of raw material for Cuzco Type obsidian artifacts. Andean Past 5:185-202.
Burger, Richard L., Frank Asaro, Guido Salas and Fred Stross 1998 The Chivay obsidian source and the geological origin of Titicaca Basin type obsidian artifacts. Andean Past 5:203-223.
Burger, Richard L. and Michael D. Glasock 2001 The Puzolana Obsidian Source: Locating the Geologic Source of Ayacucho Type Obsidian. Andean Past 6:289-307.
Burger, Richard L. and M. D. Glascock 2002 Tracking the Source of Quispisisa Type Obsidian from Huancavelica to Ayacucho . In Andean archaeology I: variations in sociopolitical organization , edited by William Harris Isbell and Helaine Silverman, pp. 341-368. Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, New York .
Burger, Richard L. and Michael D. Glascock 2000 Locating the Quispisisa Obsidian source in the department of Ayacucho , Peru . Latin American Antiquity 11(3):258-268.
Burger, Richard L., Karen L. Mohr Chávez and Sergio J. Chávez 2000 Through the glass darkly: Prehispanic obsidian procurement and exchange in southern Peru and northern Bolivia . Journal of World Prehistory 14(3):267-362.
Burger, Richard L., Katharina J. Schreiber, Michael D. Glascock and José Ccencho 1998 The Jampatilla Obsidian Source: Identifying the Geological Source of Pampas Type Obsidian Artifacts from Southern Peru . Andean Past 5:225-239.
Mohr-Chávez, Karen Lynne 1977 “Marcavalle: the ceramics from an early horizon site in the valley of Cusco, Peru, and the implications for South Highland socio-economic interactions”. Dissertation, University of Pennsylvania .
Chávez, Sergio J. 1989 Archaeological reconnaisssance in the Province of Chumbivilcas , south highland Peru . Expedition 30(3):27-38.
Chávez, Sergio J. and Karen L. Mohr Chavez 1975 A Carved Stela from Taraco, Puno , Peru , and the Definition of an Early Style of Stone Sculpture from the Altiplano of Peru and Bolivia . Nawpa Pacha 13(45-83).
Craig, Nathan, Mark Aldenderfer and M. Steven Shackley, 2004. Source Provenance of Obsidian Artifacts from Jiskairumoko (189), Peru. Personal Communication.
Frye, Kirk L., Mark Aldenderfer and Michael D. Glascock 1998 The Aconcahua obsidian source and its relation to South-Central Andean exchange systems . Paper presented at the Presented at the Institute of Andean Studies conference, Berkeley CA .
Giesso, Martin 2000 Stone Tool Production in the Tiwanaku Heartland: the Impact of State Emergence and Expansion on Local Households. Ph.D., University of Illinois .
Glascock, Michael D. and Martin Giesso 1994 New Perspectives on Obsidian Procurement in the Titicaca Basin, Bolivia, Presented at a conference in Ankara , Turkey .
Jennings, Justin 2002 Prehistoric Imperialism and Cultural Development in the Cotahuasi Valley, Peru. Ph.D. Dissertation, University of California.
Jennings, Justin and Michael D. Glascock 2002 Description and method of exploitation of the Alca obsidian source, Peru. Latin American Antiquity 13(1):107-118.
Sandweiss, Daniel H., Heather McInnis, Richard L. Burger, Asuncion Cano, Bernardino Ojeda, Rolando Paredes, Maria del Carmen Sandweiss and Michael D. Glascock 1998 Quebrada Jaguay: Early South American Maritime adaptation. Science 281:1830-1832.
Stanish, Charles, Richard L. Burger, Lisa M. Cipolla, Michael D. Glascock and Esteban Quelima 2002 Evidence for early long-distance obsidian exchange and watercraft use from the southern Lake Titicaca Basin of Bolivia and Peru . Latin American Antiquity 13(4).
Vaughn, Kevin and Michael D. Glascock (in press) Exchange of Quispisisa obsidian in the Nasca region: New evidence from Marcaya. Andean Past 7.
Sites included in obsidian studies in the central Andes to date
This table is also available as an Excel file.
| ID | Site | Elev | Reference | Exc/Surf. | Region | Country |
| 146 | Abrigo Ha-3-21 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | ||||
| 31 | Ac300 | 4094 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Excav. | Ayacucho, Huamanga, Quinua | Peru |
| 27 | Ac500 | 3487 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Excav. | Ayacucho, Huamanga, Chiara | Peru |
| 145 | Alto de las Brujas, Pisco | Burger and Asaro 1977, p. 50 | ||||
| 108 | Ancon | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Lima, Lima, Ancon | Peru | ||
| 139 | Aqawllay | 3339 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | |||
| 110 | Asana | 3942 | Aldenderfer 1998; Frye et al., 1998 | Excav. | Moquegua, Mariscal Nieto, Torata | Peru |
| 88 | Ataura | 3468 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Excav. | Junin, Jauja, Masma | Peru |
| 149 | Ayacucho, Camino Antiguo | Burger and Asaro 1977 | ||||
| 41 | Bandoja | 3355 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Surface | Cusco, Anta, Anta | Peru |
| 62 | Batan 'Urqo | 3177 | Mohr-Chavez 1977; Burger, et al. 2000 | Cusco, Quispicanchi, Huaro | Peru | |
| 13 | Cabanaconde | 3292 | Burger, et al. 2000 | Surface | Arequipa, Caylloma, Cabanaconde | Peru |
| 133 | Camata | 3806 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Excav. | Puno, Puno, Puno | Peru |
| 115 | Cancha-Cancha Asiruni | 3868 | Burger, et al. 2000 | Surface | Puno, Azangaro, Azangaro | Peru |
| 35 | Canichi Ay5-1 | 3766 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Ayacucho, Lucanas, Cabana | Peru | |
| 6 | Catarpi | 2684 | Burger, et al. 2000 | Antofagasta | Chile | |
| 143 | Cebolla Huayco | 3623 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Surface | ||
| 111 | Cerro Baul | 2280 | Burger, et al. 2000 | Moquegua, Mariscal Nieto, Torata | Peru | |
| 77 | Cerro Prieto | 414 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Excav. | Ica, Ica, Subtanjalla | Peru |
| 125 | Cerro Pukara | 4118 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Puno, Lampa, Pucara | Peru | |
| 118 | Chamaqta | 4241 | Burger, et al. 2000 | Excav. | Puno, Chucuito, Pisacoma | Peru |
| 52 | Chanapata | 3520 | Burger, et al. 2000 | Excav. | Cusco, Cusco, Cusco | Peru |
| 3 | Chavin de Huantar | 3207 | Burger, et al. 2000 | Excav. | Ancash, Huari, Chavin De Huantar | Peru |
| 4 | Chavin, under mod town | 3147 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Excav. | Ancash, Huari, Chavin De Huantar | Peru |
| 71 | Chincha - D | 63 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Ica, Chincha, Alto Laran | Peru | |
| 37 | Chinchirmoqo | 3676 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Surface | Cusco, Acomayo, Pomacanchi | Peru |
| 97 | Chiripa | 3835 | Burger, et al. 2000 | Excav. | La Paz | Bolivia |
| 59 | Choqo Choqo | 3724 | Burger, et al. 2000 | Surface | Cusco, Espinar, Coporaque | Peru |
| 64 | Choquepuquio | 3158 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Excav. | Cusco, Quispicanchi, Lucre | Peru |
| 153 | Chupas | Burger and Asaro 1978 | Peru | |||
| 96 | Ch'uxuqullu | 3916 | Stanish, et al. 2002 | Excav. | La Paz | Bolivia |
| 157 | Condorimachay | Brooks 1998 | Colca, Arequipa | Peru | ||
| 53 | Coricancha | 3422 | Burger, et al. 2000 | Excav. | Cusco, Cusco, Cusco | Peru |
| 34 | Corralcorral Pata Ay5-5 | 3374 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Ayacucho, Lucanas, Cabana | Peru | |
| 131 | Cutimbo | 3982 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Excav. | Puno, Puno, Pichacani | Peru |
| 160 | Cz13-14 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Cusco | |||
| 161 | Cz2-10 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Cusco | |||
| 74 | Erizo | 263 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Ica, Ica, Ocucaje | Peru | |
| 114 | Esquinapata | 3921 | Burger, et al. 2000, p. 315-317 | Surface | Puno, Azangaro, Achaya | Peru |
| 38 | Fierrowasi | 3613 | Burger, et al. 2000 | Cusco, Anta, Anta | Peru | |
| 158 | Garagay | Burger 1993 | Excav. | Lima | Peru | |
| 148 | Ha4-8 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | ||||
| 12 | Hacha | 118 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Excav. | Arequipa, Caraveli, Acari | Peru |
| 92 | Huamachuco | 3180 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | La Libertad, Sanchez Carrion, Huamachuco | Peru | |
| 86 | Huancayo | 3252 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Junin, Huancayo, Huancayo | Peru | |
| 156 | Huaricoto | Burger, et al. 2000 | ||||
| 65 | Huasau | 3153 | Burger, et al. 2000 | Excav. | Cusco, Quispicanchi, Oropesa | Peru |
| 67 | Huillca Raccay | 3202 | Burger, at al. 2000 | Excav. | Cusco, Urubamba, Machupicchu | Peru |
| 15 | Huiltocco | 3904 | Burger, et al. 2000 | Surface | Arequipa, Caylloma, Callalli | Peru |
| 42 | Huki Wasi | 3550 | Burger and Asaro 1977, p. 34 | Surface | Cusco, Canchis, Combapata | Peru |
| 132 | Incatunuhuiri | 3898 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Puno, Puno, Puno | Peru | |
| 30 | Iomachay Ac102 | 2801 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Excav. | Ayacucho, Huamanga, Pacaycasa | Peru |
| 137 | Jachalaca | Burger, et al. 2000 | Surface | Arequipa, Caylloma | ||
| 32 | Jaywamachay Ac335 | 3274 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Excav. | Ayacucho, Huamanga, Vinchos | Peru |
| 33 | Jincamocco Ay5-6 | 3195 | Burger, et al. 1998 | Excav. | Ayacucho, Lucanas, Cabana | Peru |
| 129 | Jiskairumoko | 3902 | Craig and Aldenderfer, pers. comm. | Excav. | Puno, Puno, Acora | Peru |
| 16 | Juscallacta | 3766 | Brooks et al. 1997; Brooks 1998 | Arequipa, Caylloma, Chivay | Peru | |
| 103 | Kallamarka | 3882 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Excav. | La Paz | Bolivia |
| 39 | Kallpitu | 3697 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Cusco, Anta, Anta | Peru | |
| 100 | Khonko Wancane | 3881 | Brooks et al. 1997; Giesso 2000 | La Paz | Bolivia | |
| 36 | Kichiucu Ay5-7 | 3652 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Ayacucho, Lucanas, Cabana | Peru | |
| 127 | Kolkeparke | 3912 | Burger, et al. 2000 | Excav. | Puno, Melgar, Ayaviri | Peru |
| 50 | Kullawata | 3824 | Burger, et al. 2000 | Surface only | Cusco, Chumbivilcas, Velille | Peru |
| 8 | Kunka Taka | 3209 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Apurimac, Andahuaylas, Andahuaylas | Peru | |
| 5 | La Banda (Qaucho) | 3148 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Excav. | Ancash, Huari, San Marcos | Peru |
| 91 | La Cumbre | 396 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Excav. | La Libertad, Ascope, Chicama | Peru |
| 150 | La Venta | Burger and Asaro 1977 | ||||
| 141 | Lasawpata | 3333 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Cusco | Peru | |
| 128 | Llalli | 4035 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Excav. | Puno, Melgar, Llalli | Peru |
| 99 | Lukurmata | 3822 | Glascock and Giesso 1994; Brooks et al, 1997; Giesso 2000 | Excav. | La Paz | Bolivia |
| 155 | Machaipungo | Burger 1993 | ||||
| 66 | Machu Picchu | 2517 | Burger, et al. 2000 | Cusco, Urubamba, Machupicchu | Peru | |
| 93 | Marca Huamachuco | 3132 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | La Libertad, Sanchez Carrion, Huamachuco | Peru | |
| 51 | Marcavalle | 3402 | Mohr-Chavez 1977; Burger, et al. 2000 | Excav. | Cusco, Cusco, Cusco | Peru |
| 80 | Marcaya | 945 | Vaughn (in press) | Excav. | Ica, Nazca, Nazca | Peru |
| 144 | Mawkallaqta | 2713 | Burger, et al. 2000, p. 344. | Cusco | Peru | |
| 72 | Media Luna | 523 | Cook, Anita report | Excav. | Ica, Ica, Ocucaje | Peru |
| 147 | Mina de Quispisisa equivocado | Burger and Asaro 1978, p. 65. | Excav. | |||
| 63 | Minas Pata | 3077 | Burger, et al. 2000 | Excav. | Cusco, Quispicanchi, Lucre | Peru |
| 68 | Moray | 3576 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Cusco, Urubamba, Maras | Peru | |
| 54 | Muyu 'Urqo Cz6-47 | 3329 | Burger, et al. 2000 | Excav. | Cusco, Cusco, San Sebastian | Peru |
| 73 | Ocucaje | 325 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Excav. | Ica, Ica, Ocucaje | Peru |
| 109 | Omo | 1276 | Burger, Chavez, Chavez, 2000 | Excav. | Moquegua, Mariscal Nieto, Moquegua | Peru |
| 89 | Pachamachay | 4305 | Burger and Asaro 1978 | Excav. | Junin, Junin, Ondores | Peru |
| 1 | Pacopampa | 3185 | Burger, 2003 | Ancash, Antonio Raymondi, Aczo | Peru | |
| 60 | Palestina | 677 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Cusco, La Convencion, Quimbiri | Peru | |
| 138 | Paqalla-moqo | 3670 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | |||
| 84 | Paroma | 515 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Excav. | Ica, Nazca, Vista Alegre | Peru |
| 46 | Pikicallepata | Burger and Asaro 1977, p. 38 | Cusco, Canchis, Sicuani | Peru | ||
| 61 | Pikillaqta | 3201 | Mohr-Chavez 1977; Burger and Asaro 1977 | Excav. | Cusco, Quispicanchi, Andahuaylillas | Peru |
| 28 | Pikimachay Ac100 | 3009 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Excav. | Ayacucho, Huamanga, Pacaycasa | Peru |
| 26 | Puente Ac158 | 2735 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Excav. | Ayacucho, Huamanga, Ayacucho | Peru |
| 45 | Pukapata | 3481 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Cusco, Canchis, San Pedro | Peru | |
| 123 | Pukara | 3884 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Excav. | Puno, Lampa, Pucara | Peru |
| 151 | Pv 62-128 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | ||||
| 152 | Pv 62-74 | Burger 1993 | ||||
| 124 | Qaluyu | 3881 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Excav. | Puno, Lampa, Pucara | Peru |
| 126 | Qaqachupa | 3901 | Burger, et al. 2000 | Surface | Puno, Melgar, Ayaviri | Peru |
| 140 | Q'asapata ('Aqo-moqo) | 3633 | Burger, et al. 2000 | |||
| 9 | Qasawirka Ap2-1 | 3086 | Burger and Asaro 1977, p. 32 | Apurimac, Andahuaylas, Andahuaylas | Peru | |
| 122 | Q'elloqaqa Cave | 3956 | Burger, et al. 2000 | Excav. | Puno, Lampa, Lampa | Peru |
| 57 | Qhataqasallaqta | 3467 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Excav. | Cusco, Cusco, Santiago | Peru |
| 120 | Qillqatani | 4500 | Aldenderfer 1998; Frye, et al. 1998 | Excav. | Puno, El Collao, Santa Rosa | Peru |
| 55 | Qotakalli | 3312 | Burger, et al. 2000 | Excav. | Cusco, Cusco, San Sebastian | Peru |
| 11 | Quebrada Jaguay | 38 | Sandweiss, et al 1998 | Excav. | Arequipa, Camana, Mariscal Caceres | Peru |
| 14 | Quelkata | 3894 | Burger, et al. 2000 | Arequipa, Caylloma, Callalli | Peru | |
| 162 | Queruro | Burger and Asaro 1977 | ||||
| 75 | San Jose de Cordero (Pv62-70) | 347 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Ica, Ica, Ocucaje | Peru | |
| 79 | San Nicolas | 43 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Excav. | Ica, Nazca, Marcona | Peru |
| 134 | San Roque | 3925 | Burger, et al. 2000, p. 312 | Surface | Puno, San Roman, Juliaca | Peru |
| 40 | Santa Barbara Baja | 3937 | Burger and Asaro 1977, p. 333 | Surface | Cusco, Anta, Anta | Peru |
| 159 | Santa Elena | Burger and Asaro 1977 | ||||
| 83 | Santa Lucia | 472 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Excav. | Ica, Nazca, Nazca | Peru |
| 130 | Sillustani | 3857 | Burger and Asaro 1977, p. 38 | Excav. | Puno, Puno, Atuncolla | Peru |
| 113 | Sora Sora | 3756 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | sur | Oruro | Bolivia |
| 10 | Sumbay | 4102 | Burger, et al. 2000 | Excav. | Arequipa, Arequipa, Yura | Peru |
| 48 | Suyu | 3545 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Surface | Cusco, Canchis, Sicuani | Peru |
| 76 | Tajahuana | 389 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Excav. | Ica, Ica, Santiago | Peru |
| 121 | Taraco | 3825 | Burger, et al. 2000 | Excav. | Puno, Huancane, Taraco | Peru |
| 56 | Tarawi | 3346 | Burger, et al. 2000 | Excav. | Cusco, Cusco, Santiago | Peru |
| 136 | Tarija | 1917 | Burger, et al. 2000 | Excav. | Tarija | Bolivia |
| 47 | Tawaqoya | 3548 | Burger, et al. 2000 | Cusco, Canchis, Sicuani | Peru | |
| 95 | Titinhuayani | 3828 | Stanish, et al. 2002 | Excav. | La Paz | Bolivia |
| 101 | Tiwanaku | 3839 | Burger and Asaro 1977; Glascock and Giesso 1994; Brooks et al, 1997; Giesso 2000; Brooks 1998; | Excav. | La Paz | Bolivia |
| 94 | Trujillo cemetery | 35 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Excav. | La Libertad, Trujillo, Trujillo | Peru |
| 23 | Tukumachay Ac351 | 4242 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Excav. | Ayacucho, Huamanga, Acocro | Peru |
| 116 | Tumatumani | 3826 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Excav. | Puno, Chucuito, Juli | Peru |
| 119 | Tumuku | 4375 | Burger and Asaro 1977, p. 280 | Surface | Puno, El Collao, Santa Rosa | Peru |
| 87 | Uchcumachay | 4127 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Excav. | Junin, Jauja, Llocllapampa | Peru |
| 20 | Uyo Uyo | 3497 | Brooks 1998 | Arequipa, Caylloma, Coporaque, Valle Colca | Peru | |
| 21 | Vizcachane Grande | 4421 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Surface | Arequipa, Caylloma, San Antonio De Chuca | Peru |
| 104 | Wankarani | 3766 | Burger, et al. 2000, p. 282 | La Paz | Bolivia | |
| 29 | Wari | 2738 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Excav. | Ayacucho, Huamanga, Pacaycasa | Peru |
| 7 | Waywaka | 2950 | Burger, et al. 2000 | Excav. | Apurimac, Andahuaylas, Andahuaylas | Peru |
| 154 | Wichqana | Burger 1993 | ||||
| 58 | Wimpillay | 3304 | Burger and Asaro 1977, p. 32 | Excav. | Cusco, Cusco, Wanchaq | Peru |
| 49 | Wiraqocha Orqo | 3866 | Burger, et al. 2000 | Surface | Cusco, Chumbivilcas, Velille | Peru |
| 44 | Yanamancha | 3481 | Burger and Asaro 1977 | Cusco, Canchis, San Pedro | Peru |
To better understand the structure of this database please visit the Regional GIS Example webpage.
Some of these sites are not very well located spatially in the GIS, geographical information is needed. Please see the list and email me if you can help locate the sites.