8.2.4. Discussion

This review of the major findings from research in 2003 shows that, in general, it was regional forces that dominated the changes that were observed in obsidian procurement through time. Raw material for use in the local economy was relatively steady, with local cherts dominating Block 3 assemblages in most time periods, and local fine-grained volcanics prevalent in Block 2 during the Late Archaic. However, changes on the regional scale in long-distance interaction and in demand for obsidian beginning in the Terminal Archaic introduced distinct intensification in procurement of obsidian. The later changes that occurred in the Early Pastoralists and Late Prehispanic times reflected the growing intensification in both agricultural and pastoral economies in the Colca. In contrast, the procurement and circulation of Chivay obsidian is relatively sustained and is not subject to this expanded production in later times.