Obsidian Research
Obsidian is a volcanic glass, typically formed through volcanic extrusion with rapid cooling (so that no crystalline minerals form). Obsidian is frequently found in association with rhyolite (a fine grained rock of similar composition) and perlite (a hydrated glassy rock which forms when water is trapped with obsidian). Among the known obsidian sources are those in Europe, the Mediterranean, the Near East, East Africa, the Pacific islands, the western US (Alaska, Oregon, California), Mexico and Guatemala, and part of the Andes. Obsidian is typically black (from small iron-containing crystallites) but may be various shades of grey, green, red-brown, and even clear.
Western Mediterranean sites with obsidian
Western Mediterranean obsidians
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