M. Jones et al., SOIL-TEMPERATURE AND OBSIDIAN HYDRATION DATING - A CLARIFICATION OF VARIABLES AFFECTING ACCURACY, Journal of archaeological science, 24(6), 1997, pp. 505-516
The results of a year-long soil temperature monitoring programme are p
resented. They increase understanding of the magnitude, spatial scale
and predictability of variation in soil temperature regimes which affe
ct obsidian hydration dating. It is demonstrated that current archaeol
ogical temperature estimation methods, either due to design or applica
tion, do not provide temperature control at a spatial resolution fine
enough to control for microregional variation. This failure is resulti
ng in significant and avoidable dating errors. (C) 1997 Academic Press
Limited.