Lithic Sourcing

Archeologists guide to toolstone sources.

Fort Payne Chert

Fort Payne Formation is widespread over the south-central United States. Its northwestern most occurrence is in southeastern IL, where it is more than 600 ft in Pope Co. The formation thins to the west and north. In western KY, the Fort Payne reaches thicknesses of more than 600 ft. In Reed quarry, the contact with the overlying Ullin Limestone. No biostratigraphic information is available from the lower Fort Payne of IL. (Norby 1994)

Fort Payne chert

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Diana Rose Angelo, M.A., R.P.A.

E-mail: lithicsourcing@yahoo.com

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The general age of the Ullin Limestone and the underlying and interfingering Fort Payne in the Illinois basin is middle Valmeyeran (late Osagean through early Meramecian) based on stratigraphic position and paleontologic evidence. A Keokuk-age assignment is indicated by conodont information from the upper part of the Fort Payne at Reed quarry, KY, a core in White Co., IL, and an isolated outcrop just west of Jonesboro. Conodont data on the type Fort Payne in northwestern AL indicate a latest Osagean (Keokuk) age. A middle Osagean age has been suggested for the unit in northwestern GA by Ausich and Meyer (1990: GSA Bull, v. 102, p. 129-146).

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