Source Determination of an Obsidian Projectile Point from the Massacre Canyon Site (25HK13), A Keith Phase Occupation in Southwest Nebraska and Implications for Social Connections During the Early Ceramic Period

The use of chemical analyses to determine the sources of obsidian in central Plains Early Ceramic sites has potential to illuminate social contacts and patterns of exchange of goods. X-ray fluorescence analysis determined that a diagnostic point from the Massacre Canyon site in southwest Nebraska is made of obsidian from the Valle Grande source of the Jemez Mountains of New Mexico. This adds to the small number of central Plains Early Ceramic obsidian samples and suggests differential source use during that period.