In this free presentation, local archaeologist Michael Kellett, M.A., will discuss his research on prehistoric obsidian acquisition in the Northern and Southern Sinagua, Prescott, and Cohonina culture areas. Kellett will share the plausible foraging and exchange routes he has mapped through analyzing obsidian artifacts at 608 prehistoric sites in west-central Arizona using a portable x-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer. He will explain how he has inferred these routes based on the spatial distribution of obsidian artifacts and least-cost path modeling that integrates slope, proximity to water, and vegetation community type.

This lecture can be attended virtually via the Live tab on the Natural History Institute Youtube channel.

This program was made possible by Arizona Humanities and sponsored by Findlay Subaru of Prescott.