Unusual Upper Mercer

[ohiofinds 1]

From our flint library.

 

[The Grim Reaper]

Do you have any Points made from those materials?

 

[Arkansaw]

That’s some killer material!

 

[Arkansaw]

Is that pink and yellow flint ridge?

 

[Tdog]

How did Upper Mercer get it's name?

 

[uniface]

Upper Mercer Formation (geological)

 

[ohiofinds 1]

These were all found in Coshocton county. Flint outcrops are at all elevations,from ridgetops to streambeds and they are all Pennsylvanian age (300 million years+).Sandstone,limestone and coal can be found in undisturbed layers along with layers of chunks of flint in stream exposures.The flint is variable both in color and translucency.The opaque flint can be light grey to black,with lots of blue and brown shades.The translucent flint,which is often thought to be Vanport, ranges from light grey to tan to nearly black,without any blues.Most of the pink and red colors are the result of heat during the formation of the stone. Heat treating the stone for knapping does not usually alter the surface gloss(the way Vanport changes.)
This blue on blue stone is from one location only.

 

[ohiofinds 1]

Do you have any Points made from those materials?

This red white and blue stone is all from one plowed out feature in which the late archaic broadpoint people were heat treating the blue and white stone for knapping.The blue and white is locally common. Here is a photo of brokes from the red white blue site with four late archaic stemmed points of that material.The large one would have been over six inches in complete condition.

 

[ohiofinds 1]

We have been saving flint samples for a long time,and have hundreds of pounds arranged by site and color.
The blue with white streaks can be found at several locations.
The zebra flint is also found in two townships. I have a large block of it somewhere around.

 

[ToddsPoint]

If you could learn basic knapping you could make a fortune selling flint to knappers. Gary

 

[ohiofinds 1]

I used to sell 5 gal buckets of the common colors for $20 each at the flintridge knap ins. This was 15-20 years ago.

 

[dirstscratcher]

This is a piece (6") I found in Fairfield County in the early 80's, unusual color for Upper Mercer.

 

[ohiofinds 1]

This is a piece (6") I found in Fairfield County in the early 80's, unusual color for Upper Mercer.
View attachment 1812898

That is the longest kirk I have ever seen,what a wonderful find.The tan with streaks and a flat luster is uncommon upper mercer.