Brassfield Chert
 AKA: Cliffton Agate, Belfast Chert









Natural Form:



Description of Physical Characteristics:

Color:  Brassfield Chert can vary from nodules that are a white or light olive with a bluish center to a yellowish orange with a darker red center.  Artifacts tend to range in color from white or light greenish to blue or light tans or browns mottled with yellowish red to milky white.

Texture:  Fine grain
Luster: Waxy

Silica Fabrics / Fossils: Fossils include a variety of marine invertebrates including coals, urchins, crinoids, and sponges.

Patina: Dirty gray

Heat Treatment:  Heat treatment increase the colors of orange and red and increases the luster.

Knapping: 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Primary Source Distribution:
Distribution Comments:

Brassfield Chert is associated with the Brassfield Formation  of the Cataract Group with primary sources in the Tennessee River Valley.  Primary outcroppings are in western Tennessee in Adams, Wayne, Perry, and Decatur counties.  Minor outcroppings extend into Kentucky and into Ohio and Indiana.  Found in Adams, Clark, Clinton, Green, Highland, Miami, Montgomery, and Preble counties Ohio.

 

 

Projectile point made from this material:



Heat treated

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References: (See Reference Page, Entry Number):

Similar Material:
Commonly made projectile point from this material:
Archaeological Context:

Usage of Brassfield Chert was relatively minor until the Late Archaic period which seen an increase in usage of Brassfield Chert.  Usage diminished into the Woodland and Mississippian period.  Common usage from the Fort Ancient culture.