dognose

Silver Member
Apr 15, 2009
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Indiana
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In relic hunting over many years, in many counties and states, these two relics are the only relics I have found of Kenneth Chert.

If you have relics made of Kenneth Chert, let's see them please.

This artifact was found about 3 miles from my home July 9, 1989
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This relic was found May 19, 2010, about 5 miles from my house.
In the opposite direction from the above, so they were found about 8 miles apart.
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Prehistoric Chert Types of the Midwest by Tony DeRegnaucourt and Jeff Grorgiady states: (typing in its entirety)
Origin of Chert's Name: Named after the Kenneth Limestone formation from which it outcrops in northwestern Indiana.

Other Names for same type: Lafayette Speckled and Calico chert.

Similar Types or Look-Alikes: Some Muldraugh or Fort Payne chert can look very similar. Within its region, some mottled pieces of Indiana Green or Attica chert can also somewhat mimic the type.

References: Tankersly (1989), Carson (1984), Shaver et al (1970) and Cantin (1988)

Geological Stratigraphy: Kenneth Limestone Member, Wabash Formation, Salina Group, Cayugan Series, Silurian System (Tankersley (1989)

Outcrop Location or Chert Source: It outcrops near the confluence of the MIssissinewa River and the Wabash River in Miami, Cass, and Clifton Counties, Indiana. It is most often found along the Wabash River in those counties.

Naturally Occurring form of Chert: It occurs as nodules and chunks eroded out of the bedrock in the stream gravels along the Wabash and its tributaries. It is also found bedded within its parent limestone matrix.

Color: This chert is distinctive because of its darker grey on white speckled or mottled appearance, hence the nickname of speckled or calico chert. It is generally white to off-white to light grey with medium to dark grey to almost black spots or speckles. Munsell colors are 10YR 4/2 , 10YR 8/2, N2, N3, N7, AND 5Y 8/1.

Texture: This chert is chalky to earthy to porcelaneous in texture and luster. It has poor to fair knappability and was never heavily utilized. It was used only locally within its outcrop area.

Minerals present: Microcrystalline quartz and spherulitic quartz-line cavities or geodes.

Fossils: Sponge Spicules.

Prehistoric Geographic Distribution: This chert is found primarily in Miami, Cass and Clinton Counties, with some spreading into Tippecanoe County, all in northwestern Indiana. It occurs along the Wabash River but apparently was not traded up or down the river except in its local area.

Prehistoric Utilization: This chert was used mostly during the Late Archaic times and sometimes during the Early Woodland. An occasional Early Archaic point is made of this material. Middle Woodland usage is limited with a few Affinis Snyders points being manufactured of Kenneth Chert.


THIS IS THE KENNETH CHERT PLATE 23 FROM THE BOOK
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Upvote 6
I’ve heard of that material but have never seen any artifacts made from it here in Central IL. I’ll pass that pic along to my hunting partner and see if he has any.
 

What states does the book you reference cover? Sounds like a great resource but I’ve bought mid “west” books before that barely cover Missouri let alone Kansas where I hunt. But I’d love to find something with that level of detail on Lithic sources.
 

What states does the book you reference cover? Sounds like a great resource but I’ve bought mid “west” books before that barely cover Missouri let alone Kansas where I hunt. But I’d love to find something with that level of detail on Lithic sources.
I have that book. It mainly covers the eastern and midwest US. It’s a good reference. It has about all the major sources and some of the less well known types. There are so many different flint types you can get lost researching them. I hunted flint sources with Jack Holland from the Buffalo Museum of Science. He spent yrs putting together the Holland Lithic Library. Samples and information from sources in all 50 states. Jack has passed on and I feel fortunate to have helped him on three hunts. Two were successful, one wasn’t.
 

What states does the book you reference cover? Sounds like a great resource but I’ve bought mid “west” books before that barely cover Missouri let alone Kansas where I hunt. But I’d love to find something with that level of detail on Lithic sources.
Prehistoric Chert Types of the Midwest index of image plates
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I picked this book, like brand new with some prior owner notations, for $50.00 at Collinsville a few years back.
It sometimes is found in artifact sales. There was one in a recent sale which sold at $70.00. The auction hammer prices can be all over the place.
 

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