Invited presentation at the Winter Meeting of the American Nuclear Society. November 12-16, 2006. Albuquerque, New Mexico

1. Characterization of
New England Chert Sources
by Neutron Activation
Matthew T. Boulanger
Robert J. Speakman
Michael D. Glascock
Archaeometry Laboratory, Missouri University Research Reactor

3. Champlain Valley Chert
► Often used by
archaeologists working
outside the state to
imply long-distance
trade
 Typically in Paleoindian
contexts
► Identified visually
► Generally black,
sometimes mottled

4. • Hathaway
Geological
Context
Northern Valley
► Radiolarian chert within
Mid–Upper Ordovician
shale
► Hathaway formation
► Melange-type deposit
► Chert is black
 Sometimes mottled grey-
green

5. Geological
Context
Central & Southern Valley
► Upper Cambrian–Lower
Ordovician dolomites
► Ticonderoga, Whitehall,
and Cuttings (Great
Meadows) formations
► Bedded chert within
dolomite
• Cuttings ► Chert is black
• Whitehall
 Sometimes mottled
• Ticonderoga

6. Champlain Valley
Burlington
►4 known quarries
 Northern Valley
►Brooks Farm
►Lazy Lady Island
 Central Valley
►Thompsons Point Middlebury
 Southern Valley
►Mount Independence

7. Neutron Activation Analysis
► Sample is crushed
► Resulting fragments are selected
► 2 analytical samples are:
 Prepared
 Irradiated
 Counted
► Immediately (8 short-lived elements)
► After 1 week (7 medium-lived elements)
► After 3 weeks (17 long-lived elements)
► Statistical analyses of elemental data

12. Future Directions
► Refine & Expand Database
 Additional samples from these
sources
 Identify new quarries, and
correct the existing site survey
 Sources elsewhere in New
England
► Incorporate petrographic studies
► Expand study to include artifact
analysis
► Develop & test hypotheses to
move beyond gross
generalizations