Van Horn Purple and Tan Chert
Description of Physical Characteristics:
Color: Van
Horn Purple and Tan Chert ranges from a mottled pale to medium purple or
a mottled light to medium tan, purplish tan or grayish orange. The
purple colors occur on the outer margins of the nodule near the cortex
and the tans occur in the center portion of the nodules
Texture: Fine grain
Luster: Glossy
Translucency: Opaque to semi
translucent in thin flakes.
Silica Fabrics / Fossils:
Patina:
Heat Treatment:
Knapping: Produces an excellent
conchoidal fracture
Distribution:
Distribution Comments:
Van Horn Purple Tan Chert occurs as nodules in the Cretaceous limestone
exposures in the hills east of Van Horn, Culberson County, Texas.
Formation not given.
Projectile point made from this material:
Pictures Provided By:
References: (See Reference Page, Entry Number):
Similar Material:
Commonly made projectile point from this material:
Archaeological Context:
Prehistoric quarries have been located at this
source and artifacts from this source were found at Pueblo Bonito in Chaco
Canyon.
