Volcanic Stratigraphy of Lipari obsidian and sources of Neolithic artefacts

Abstract

Obsidian is a raw material widely used in prehistoric times (“the Neolithic black gold”), and its origin is of particular interest to archaeologists for reconstructing trading patterns. Obsidian from Lipari dominate the Early to Late Neolithic archaeological assemblages in the central Mediterranean (along with that from Monte Arci, Sardinia). Here we provide a review of the volcanic and stratigraphic features of the eruptions that producted rhyolithic obsidian-bearing pyroclastic successions and lavas during the last ~50 ky in the southern and north-eastern sectors of Lipari, thus providing insights on the definition of obsidian subsources. The main eruptions are those of Monte Guardia (27-24 ky) and Vallone del Gabellotto (8.7-8.4 ky), whereas the Monte Pilato, Forgia Vecchia, Lami and Rocche Rosse eruptions lately occurred in the Middle Ages (776–1316 CE). Based on the abundance of obsidian and distribution of the outcrops, the most important obsidian sub-source is that of the Vallone del Gabellotto pumice succession in the northeastern sector of Lipari, with a minor role for the Vallone Canneto dentro pyroclastics (undated) in the central-eastern sector, and a possible contribution from the Pomiciazzo lava coulee (associated with the V.ne del Gabellotto unit), although in this latter case with difficulties due to the availability of workable fragments. Potentially, also the Monte Guardia pyroclastic succession (27-24 ky) could represent an obsidian subsource, but likely due to its frequent brecciation and poor aptitude for chipping and for producing stone tools artifacts have never been found at Neolithic sites in the Mediterranean area.