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Abstract
In 1984, 29 obsidian artifacts and an unworked nodule were analyzed by X-ray fluorescence in order to determine the source of the raw material. The results of analysis confirmed the succession of Highland Guatemalan sources utilized by the Maya previously proposed by Nelson and also revealed the presence of obsidian from two additional Central Mexican sources, bringing the total of Mexican sources to six. At present only the Pachuca and Otumba sources are represented by more than one or two examples.
The unworked nodule is probably a tektite, because of its chemical composition, size, shape, color, and surface texture.
The 1984 XRF analyses were also used to check identifications of obsidian sources made on the basis of macro-optical characteristics. The lack of correspondence between the two methods is due to the great within-source optical variability of Mesoamerican obsidian. At present, visual source-analyses should always be confirmed by more accurate and reliable physical-chemical methods.