How many types??

bravowhiskey · Sep 18, 2009

Howdy, all you artifact mavens.

I find at least 2 different varieties, maybe more, of what I think is flint at the farm. What I believe to be Georgetown Flint, gray to blu-gray and a distinctive brown type. Maybe more.
I will make a concerted effort to find and photograph all different types that I can find on my next trip. This is sure bugging me. From what I've read the Georgetown flint is located on the eastern edge of the Edwards' Plateau in 2 counties. The county I'm discussing is not one of the 2 listed, but I feel there is no mistaking it.
Unsure of brown type. Could it be Jasper (yes, I've learned jasper is a type of chert/flint) instead? Maybe this is pointless without the pics.
Now I'm thinking a trip is definitely in order.

Happy diggins',
BW

uniface · Sep 19, 2009

Only because nobody else is wading in here, given where you live, a lot of your various brown cherts would likely be Edwards Plateau stuff.

Waiting for Neanderthal . . .

Neanderthal · Sep 26, 2009

Post pics of them Bravo. There's quite a bit of difference between Jasper and Georgetown. Georgetown is VERY high grade chert (some will argue flint - it's debatable) that will range from gray's to almost black. It's also often semi-translucent at the edges (backlight it if necessary). Jasper is opaque and in your area will usually be colored red, yellow to dark brown.

bravowhiskey · Sep 26, 2009

Thanks, Uniface, Neanderthal. I'll be heading west (it is a four hour journey) very soon and taking pics.

BW

Jonnyreb · Sep 27, 2009

Its amazing how far that stuff got traded. I've got two points from NE Texas here made from blue gray Georgetown, and several made of Edwards chert that I found in this area. What county is your farm in?

bravowhiskey · Sep 27, 2009

That would be Brown County, Jonnyreb.

Nigel Tufnel · Sep 30, 2009

I think this may be one of the few areas that I could possibly have something of value to add. Around here I have heard "Georgetown" flint also called "Root Beer" flint due to its unique shade of brown. I have a large piece I will add of what I THINK is that Root Beer flint.

Just the other day I also found some purple/red colored flint from the Williamson/Travis County line. I had never known such a thing existed but some friends have and they classified that piece as Georgetown flint, too. After having heard yarns spun about the varieties of flint by locals I, too, would love to hear a professional opinion.

Nigel Tufnel · Sep 30, 2009

I just read that is can be very black, too. I found these a few days ago in Travis County and was uncertain if it was, in fact, flint. I thought it might be Obsidian due to its midnight black hue until I was told that we do not really have Obsidian around here. It is beautiful whatever it is called!! I hope these help or, at the very least, are not inaccurate assumptions on my part.

This rain has really helped me find a lot of "firsts". Have a great rest of the week!!