Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy of Geological and Archaeological Chert from Southern Ontario

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) may provide a low-cost, minimally destructive method for sourcing archaeological cherts in Ontario. In this article we outline a study to characterize chert samples from geological sources in Ontario and to identify the raw material of a small number of archaeological specimens from the late sixteenth century A.D. Neutral Iroquoian Emmerson Springs site. We compare our results with those from an earlier study that used FT-IR to determine if cherts selected for excellent knapping qualities contain sufficient trace minerals to allow for accurate source characterization.

[1]  R. Ontañón,et al.  Local amber in a Palaeolithic context in Cantabrian Spain: the case of La Garma A , 2007 .

[2]  Barbara H. Stuart,et al.  Infrared Spectroscopy: Fundamentals and Applications: Stuart/Infrared Spectroscopy: Fundamentals and Applications , 2005 .

[3]  William Andrefsky,et al.  Lithics: Macroscopic Approaches to Analysis , 1999 .

[4]  L. Toniolo,et al.  WHITE LUMPS IN FIFTH- TO SEVENTEENTH-CENTURY AD MORTARS FROM NORTHERN ITALY , 1997 .

[5]  S. Hardman,et al.  The detection of dyes by FTIR microscopy , 1994 .

[6]  G. C. Jones,et al.  Infrared Transmission Spectra of Carbonate Minerals , 1993 .

[7]  A. Kronenberg,et al.  Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy determinations of intragranular water content in quartz-bearing rocks: implications for hydrolytic weakening in the laboratory and within the earth , 1990 .

[8]  C. Ellis,et al.  THE BOLTON SITE (AfHj-89): A CROWFIELD PHASE EARLY PALEO-INDIAN SITE IN SOUTHWESTERN ONTARIO , 2009 .

[9]  H. W. Jarvis.  Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis of Onondaga Chert in the Niagara Frontier , 2008 .

[10]  C. Clark,et al.  Chemical Characterization and Sourcing of Upper Great Lakes Cherts by INAA , 2008 .

[11]  James R. Keron.  Iroquoian Chert Acquisition: Changing Patterns in the Late Woodland of Southwestern Ontario , 2003 .

[12]  Walter Hopwood,et al.  Investigation of Decorative Coating on Kongo Ceramics Using U. V. Light and Ftir Analysis , 1992 .

[13]  S. Janusas.  Petrological Analysis of Kettle Point Chert and its Spatial and Temporal Distribution in Regional Prehistory , 1984 .

[14]  H. Moenke.  Silica, the Three-dimensional Silicates, Borosilicates and Beryllium Silicates , 1974 .