Connected Sites
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Connected Sites: 6
WHS significantly connected with the use of and/or trade in Obsidian. Excluding sites whose only connection is via minor discoveries of small quantities of the stone Obsidian is a naturally occurring volcanic glass formed by the rapid cooling of viscous lava either at the "edges of a felsic lava flow or volcanic dome, or when lava cools during sudden contact with water or air". It "has been used across history to make weapons, implements, tools ornaments and mirrors. Because of its conchoidal fracture (smooth curved surfaces and sharp edges) the sharpest stone artifacts were fashioned from" it. Occurrences are Worldwide ("significant deposits .......in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, Argentina, Chile, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Iceland, Russia, New Zealand, Japan, and Kenya") but are very localised and its use has thereby been limited to cultures developing close to and/or trading with such locations.