Chert

[Bob W]

Ive always heard Indian arrowheads were constructed mostly from flint. Theres a lot of that raw material where I live. It maybe chert but I refer to it as flint.

As mentioned, the word "flint" is often misused, almost as much as the word "arrowhead."

In Missouri undoubtedly you have access to many different types of chert. Maybe some flint somewhere there, but I dunno.

In Arkansas there is chert everywhere, but no flint that I know of. Some chert types are very localized too, almost so that you can trace some artifacts' origins to particular locations. Novaculite (the material used for Arkansas sharpening stones) is primarily located in the Hot Springs region of the state, for example. Other chert types (Pitkin, etc.) are even more localized.

And of course riverbed deposits will contain chert cobbles that have eroded and traveled from all over.

 

[CShepherd]

Could be, but I really have no clue. I can't believe I deleted that pm

It actually wasn't me but I did send you an e-mail just now.

Thanks,

Charles

 

[A. G. Russell]

As mentioned, the word "flint" is often misused, almost as much as the word "arrowhead."

In Missouri undoubtedly you have access to many different types of chert. Maybe some flint somewhere there, but I dunno.

In Arkansas there is chert everywhere, but no flint that I know of. Some chert types are very localized too, almost so that you can trace some artifacts' origins to particular locations. Novaculite (the material used for Arkansas sharpening stones) is primarily located in the Hot Springs region of the state, for example. Other chert types (Pitkin, etc.) are even more localized.

And of course riverbed deposits will contain chert cobbles that have eroded and traveled from all over.

chert is all over north west arkansas and is mis-called "flint rock" I do not know but I do not think that flint nodules can be found anywhere in this state. the very best flints for muzzle loaders is cut from agate. The harder types of novaculite can be used as flint would be, and was traded all over by the indians for making tools. Obsidian was traded the same way.

Please tell me about Pitkin. thanks, ag

 

[Bob W]

chert is all over north west arkansas and is mis-called "flint rock" I do not know but I do not think that flint nodules can be found anywhere in this state. the very best flints for muzzle loaders is cut from agate.

Chert is very common throughout all of the mountain areas of Arkansas, the Ouchitas and the Ozarks. In the flatlands (Southern and Eastern Arkansas) lithic material had to either be imported or collected as river cobbles.

Sorry, I don't know much about gunflints, although I think for historic commercial use it was usually imported from Europe. I never heard of any actual flint in Arkansas either (I was the lab supervisor for an archaeological company for several years).

The harder types of novaculite can be used as flint would be, and was traded all over by the indians for making tools.

Yes, there are even huge prehistoric novaculite quarries in the Hot Springs region and around Lake Ouchita, large bluffs of the stone. It was also heat-treated by the native Americans; heating novaculite gives it a glassy appearance and finer edges. In fact I once found a location where Native Americans were heating the rock on the bluff face then chipping it out, creating a 'cave' with walls of glassy white novaculite.

Please tell me about Pitkin. thanks, ag

AG, it's been a few years, but here goes... Pitkin chert is a rather nice material - black with white specks (or was it white with black specks?), and is only found in certain rock outcrops. By tracking artifacts made from Pitkin chert, it's possible to study prehistoric trade and migration patterns in and around Arkansas. Boone chert is another specific type, chalky-white chert as I recall.