Obsidian sourcing has been used in Philippine archaeology for the first time. This paper discusses the potential of this new approach for studying the mobility patterns and exchange networks of early Filipinos. Currently, two obsidian sources have been identified in the Philippines. The Nagcarlan and Pagudpod sources are both located on the island of Luzon. X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) was used to obtain a chemical signature of these sources and to link obsidian artefacts recovered at three archaeological sites to their geological source. The results provide evidence for long distance movement of obsidian in the past. A review of all known obsidian artefacts recovered from archaeological sites in the different islands and provinces of the Philippines provides essential background for further studies of obsidian movement and exchange.
