Archaeology hub
Igneous
How igneous rocks show up in sites, tools, and tradeโand how archaeologists use them to identify stone materials, sourcing, and technology.
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What this hub covers
Igneous stones are common in architecture, ground stone tools, and trade goods. This hub collects short, practical pages you can use while identifying materials in hand or interpreting finds in context.
Why igneous matters in archaeology
Durability, workability, and heat history affect how igneous rocks were selected for tools, paving, and constructionโand what traces they leave behind.
Common igneous materials at sites
Basalt, granite, and obsidian are frequent. Each has distinctive texture, fracture, and wear patterns that guide identification.
Sourcing and exchange
Some igneous materials are highly local; others (like obsidian) can be traced to specific volcanic sources, revealing movement and trade.
Field identification workflow
A quick sequence: texture โ grain size โ visible minerals โ fracture โ magnetism โ context. Use this to narrow candidates before lab methods.
Subpages
Igneous quick guides
Short pages (placeholders) to expand next. Each page links back to this hub and to the main Archaeology overview.
Return to the Archaeology overview
Use the main Archaeology page to navigate all stone-and-rock identification topics and site methods.