Flint Ridge Chert / Chalcedony
Variations include: Nethers Chert
AKA: Van Port Chert, Raccoon Creek Chert












Natural Form:
Raw form



Heat Treated form
Description of Physical Characteristics:

Color: In it's raw form Flint Ridge Chert has a basic white to bluish hues with bands of light gray, reds, and yellows.  In it's heat treated form colors become more vibrant and has multicolored banding which includes blue, green, lavender, yellow, gray, white, dark red and pink. 

Texture: Fine grain

Luster: The luster may range from dull in the raw form to a glassy vitreous in heat treated form

Silica Fabrics / Fossils: Flint Ridge Chert is made up of 98% silicas

Patina:

Heat Treatment:  Heat treatment is commonly used for this material and produces a more vibrant color and glassy vitreous luster.

Knapping:  Knapping of raw material is difficult while in the heat treated form it becomes a much easier material to work.


 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distribution:
Distribution Comments:

Flint Ridge Chert is associated with the Van Port Member of the Allegheny Formation.  Primary sources are found in eastern Ohio (Muskingum, and Licking counties).   Secondary, and poorer quality, sources are in  Mercer County, Pennsylvania. 

 

Projectile point made from this material:


Heat Treated


Pictures Provided By:
Cyril Calvet
Matthew Smith





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References: (See Reference Page, Entry Number):
W23
Flint Ridge Chert
Similar Material:
Kaolin Chert
Maldraugh Chert
Nethers Chert

Commonly made projectile point from this material:
Adena Series, Afton, Big Sandy, Bottleneck, Decatur, Hopewell, Madison, Meadowood, St. Charles, Snyders, Thebes

Archaeological Context:
One of the most common cherts used by the Hopewell culture throughout Ohio.