A cost surface model of volcanic glass quarrying and exchange in Hawai‘i

The spatial distribution of artifacts from the Pu‘u Wa‘awa‘a volcanic glass source (North Kona District, Hawai‘i Island) shows a pattern of direct access by those living in the immediately vicinity of the source with subsequent down-the-line exchange. Most quarrying and exchanges likely occurred within a single day’s travel from sites where artifacts were deposited. The exception to this is the discovery of non-local direct access evident in assemblages from the extreme southern end of Hawai‘i Island; these visits may have involved voyages by canoe. While people did not often travel far for volcanic glass they nonetheless appear to have had unfettered accessed to source material and freely conducted inter-community exchanges. This implies volcanic glass was treated as a common pooled resource and the existence of informal exchange relationships.

► We model direct access and exchange of volcanic glass archaeological artifacts in Hawai‘i. ► Chemical sourcing focuses on the distribution of the Pu‘uWa‘awa‘a source. ► Individual artifact analysis is used to identify local and non-local quarrying and down-the-line exchanges. ► It appears volcanic glass was involved primarily in single day trips from sites. ► Results are consistent with informal exchange and direct access without regard to territorial boundaries or elite rights.