[pct-l] southern section ramblings

[gregray8 at yahoo.com (Greg Ray)]

Finding the obsidian artifacts far away from their source was most likely a two fold proposition if logic is to be combined with what archaeology has to say about the subject. I've read that obsidian was traded extensively up and down California, and if you are trading such a heavy commodity, then you might want to save your dried food you carry by hunting along the trade route to avoid carrying too much weight. After all, you if you are trading, then you might not have a lighter load on the return leg. Certainly a bow and a quiver full of arrows would be needed for a travel companion on such a journey anyway. What better way to market your wares, then by a display of the finished product ;-) 
 
The traded good finished, or the points attached to a finished implement by the recipients in the respective areas. (depending on if it was bulk material traded, or finished arrowheads, tools etc.)
 
Perhaps this logic could be flawed, but the premise demands at least that the range be covered on foot, given the period. However dispersed, the artifacts did not get there by themselves. Someone had to disperse them, and speculation as to exactly how they did is more fun anyway, :-)
Greg
 
 

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