Color: Oneota chert ranges from white to a light olive gray or gray and from a light brown to a light yellow

Texture:  Oneota chert is primarily medium grain, but coarser grain does occur.

Luster: Dull to waxy

Silica Fabrics / Fossils: Oolitic

Patina:

Heat Treatment:  Heat treatment is commonly used changing the color to grayish pink, yellow, grayish orange, pink, and red.  The luster increases to glossy.

Knapping:  Non-heat treated material can be difficult to work with.  Heat treatment improves the flaking quality.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distribution Comments:

Oneota chert is associated with the Lower Prairie de Chien Group,  Oneota formation.  Named for the Oneota River (upper Iowa River) where the chert is primarily found.  It is found through the river beds throughout Wisconsin and into Minnesota.