Geochemical Research Laboratory

Geochemical Research Laboratory (GRL), founded by Dr. Richard Hughes in 1986, specializes in archaeological geochemistry (obsidian sourcing); specifically, the use of energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence (edxrf) spectrometry to determine the selected major, minor, trace, and rare earth element composition of volcanic rocks (predominantly obsidian, dacite, and basalt), and the use of distinctive combinations of various chemical elements to determine the likely geologic source of origin for archaeological artifacts.