Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy of Geological and Archaeological Chert from Southern Ontario

• DOI: 10.2190/na.29.3-4.a
• Publication Date: 2009-06-03T01:14:00Z
• Authors: Alicia L. Hawkins; Eric Tourigny; Darrel G. F. Long; Patrick J. Julig; Jeffery Bursey
• Keywords: 0601 history and archaeology; 06 humanities and the arts

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) may provide a low-cost, minimally destructive method for sourcing archaeological cherts in Ontario. In this article we outline a study to characterize chert samples from geological sources in Ontario and to identify the raw material of a small number of archaeological specimens from the late sixteenth century A.D. Neutral Iroquoian Emmerson Springs site. We compare our results with those from an earlier study that used FT-IR to determine if cherts selected for excellent knapping qualities contain sufficient trace minerals to allow for accurate source characterization.