ABSTRACT

This paperrepresents the third and concluding part ofa study dealing with the distribution and trade of obsidian in the Red Sea. It was initially stimulated by survey work carried out in Saudi Arabia during 1979-1985. Subsequent investigations into the larger problem brought me into contact with a variety of colleagues and the entire study crystallized dUring the summer of 1987. In conjunction with the resources placed at my disposal in Rome by the staff of the Istituto Italiano per il Media ed Estremo Oriente, the larger pattern of obsidian trade was investigated. In particular, I would like to thank Dr Vincenzo Francaviglia without whose analyses and information the work could not have been completed. The first part of the study was presented in 1987 at Venice during the Ninth International Conference of the Association of South Asian Archaeologists in Western Europe and dealt with the southern Red Searesources and early trade in obsidian (Zarins 1990). The second part outlining the participation of prehistoric Egypt in this trade was published by the University of Chicago (Zarins 1989). This study will concentrate on some other highly desirable items the ancient Egyptians obtained in the Red Sea by long distance trade in conjunction with obsidian.