Obsidian Hydration

Our obsidian hydration services utilize state-of-the-art techniques to determine rim thickness.  Hydration rims are examined using a Meiji Petrographic Microscope fitted with a digital filar and color video camera.  Measurements feed directly from the filar into a formatted analysis file.  Hydration results are provided in either Access or Excel (your choice).  A standard letter report is included.

Rates

Standard Delivery (~20 days) per 100

0-25                $17.00 per sample

26-100            $15.00 per sample

100 +               $13.50 per sample

Secondary cuts on weather artifacts are charge for the only the second cut. Please verify prior to sending artifacts. We can help you sample.

1-100+                        $4.00per sample

Rapid Turn Around  

0-25                $20.00 per sample

26-100            $18.00 per sample

100 +               $16.00 per sample

*Obsidian cataloging at research Assistant rate

Student/Research Rate negotiable

Macro- or Microscopic sourcing analysis is available for specific XRF sourced obsidians @ $3.00 per sample.

Faunal Analysis

Our experience identifying fish and animal remains from Coastal and Central California and Great Basin archaeological assemblages gives us the ability to quickly and competently analyze your fauna.  Analysis includes count, weight, cultural and natural modifications to the bone, taxa, element, and calculation of MNI (if desired).  Remains are identified using a variety of scientifically acquired comparative collections, including those held at the following institutions:

Zooarchaeology Lab, UC Davis**

Zooarchaeology Lab, CSU Chico**

Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, UC Berkeley

California Science Academy

Addition access cots cost may applies**

General bill-out Rates

Principal Faunal Analyst                    $55-85/hour*

    Fish bone                                      $75.00-100/hour

*We are more than happy to bid jobs and negotiate costs based on your needs.

Seasonality Studies Via Thin Section

Our thin sectioning services are also based on state-of-the-art methods developed by O’Brien 1994; Leigh 1998; and Carpenter 2002.   We currently are able to reliably determine season of death for deer (with teeth) and Sacramento Pike Minnow (with vertebrae). 

Rates

Standard Delivery (~35 days)

$45.00 per sample

Rapid Turn Around (< 10 days)

$65.00 per sample