Erwin Quartzite
 AKA: Erwin-Antietam Quartzite, Hesse Quartzite










Natural Form:



Description of Physical Characteristics:

Color: Erwin Quartzite ranges from bright white to light gray, tan, brown, pink, or red.  A green brown variation is reported in Amherst County, Virginia.

Texture: Medium to Fine grain

Luster: Dull to vitreous

Translucency:  Opaque to semi translucent 

Silica Fabrics / Fossils:  Scolithus

Patina:

Heat Treatment: 

Knapping: 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Primary Source Distribution:
Distribution Comments:

Erwin Quartzite is associated with the Erwin Formation of the Chilhowee Group.  Named for exposures near Erwin, Unicoi County, Tennessee. 

Antietam Formation and the Erwin Formation are considered equivalents with Antietam Formation being in the north and Erwin Formation to the south.

The formation name Hesse Quartzite was also used for this formation, but has since been included in the Erwin Formation.

Projectile point made from this material:



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References: (See Reference Page, Entry Number):

Similar Material:
Commonly made projectile point from this material:
Guilford, Morrow Mountain, Savannah River
Archaeological Context:

Antietam- Erwin Quartzite was used extensively in the Blue Ridge and Shenandoah Valley.  It is the primary material used in north and central Virginia, with highest used during he middle to late Archaic period.