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Lithic Sourcing |
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Archeologists guide to toolstone sources. |
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Alibates |
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Alibates is relatively localized, mostly in the Texas Panhandle, and concentrated along the Canadian River from Devil’s Canyon to Alibates Creek and Plum Creek. The largest concentration is found within the boundaries of the 1300 acre Alibates Flint Quarries, with several quarries also present on private land in the Plum Creek area. In addition to outcrops in the Texas Panhandle, an outcrop near Yeso New Mexico is similar in color and texture to Alibates Flint and may represent a westward extension of the Alibates Formation. Also, the mostly buried Day Creek dolomite in Oklahoma may be a stratigraphic equivalent of the Alibates Formation. |
Distribution: |
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Although termed "flint," the stone is technically a silicified or agatized dolomite occurring in Permian-age outcroppings. The deposits, exposed as slightly undulating layers, are unique to the Panhandle area. Hues and tones range from pale gray and white, to pink, maroon, and vivid red, to orange-gold and an intense purplish blue. Patterns in the stone are varied as well. Bands of alternating color create stripes and a marbled effect. The material has a resistant quality and hardness which makes it more difficult to flake and shape into tools than other stone. |
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Alibates flint |
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Permian |
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Contact: Diana Rose Angelo, M.A., R.P.A. E-mail: lithicsourcing@yahoo.com |
Description: |
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