Color:  Tongue River Silica ranges in color from an ocher red to a yellowish brown.  In North Dakota, a gray variation of Tongue River Silica has been found.
   
Texture:  Fine grain

Luster: Earthy to waxy

Silica Fabrics / Fossils:

Patina: The patina is a orange to reddish discoloration along the surface and along fractures.

Heat Treatment:  Heat treatment was commonly used and changes the color to a red or orangish red.

Knapping: 

Notes:  Taylor Bed Silcrete is more abundant and has many overlapping characteristics of Tongue River Silica.  It has been noted that many artifacts identified as Tongue River Silica are actually Taylor Bed Silcrete.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distribution Comments:

Tongue River Silica is associated with the Rhama Bed located between the Bullion Creek Formation and the Slope Formation of North Dakota and into south Dakota.