New insights from the Wai‘ahukini Rockshelter Site (H8), Ka‘u District, Hawai‘i Island from non-destructive EDXRF geochemistry

Abstract

We report on non-destructive Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) analysis of 1,562 volcanic glass and 295 basaltic artifacts from the Wai‘ahukini Rockshelter (H8) near South Point, Hawai‘i Island. Volcanic glass found at the site is divided into three geochemical groups as found elsewhere on Hawai‘i Island, including material from the trachyte cone at Pu‘u Wa‘awa‘a (PWW). Basaltic material is subdivided into nine geochemical groups with the provenance of a majority of the adze related material inferred to be from non-local sources. These results are consistent with a model of centralized control and distribution of stone tools on Hawai‘i Island.