pip. nJ)^' 25]' JOHN H. KERR RESERVOIR BASEST — MILLER 61 



terial, while the site reported by Kleine not only duplicates the Quad 

 site but reports a number of typical Sandia type 1 points. 



Most of the stone used in the early sites appears to be of local 

 origin but no definite source from which this material was drawn 

 can be pointed out. Since the source camiot be located it is obvious 

 that microscopic petrographic studies will have to be conducted in 

 order to prove source identifications which, in the long run, may be 

 of help in determining routes of migration, if possible, or to establish 

 that trade relationships existed during this early period. 



A highly siliceous bluish-gray chert is the dominant material used 

 during this period and it accounts for the major number of artifacts. 

 In decreasing numbers we have those manufactured from rhyolite, 

 milky quartz, quartz crystal, quartzite, and chalcedony, all of which 

 occur either in the reservoir proper or within easily procurable dis- 

 tances. 



As stated earlier, the most striking characteristic of the chert arti- 

 facts is the considerable alteration in composition of the cortex sur- 

 rounding an unaltered core of the original siliceous material. This 

 cortex is usually a creamy white or a greenish gray in color, slightly 

 softer than the original chert and less siliceous, having lost some of 

 this quality during the change in composition and color. The degree 

 of penetration is most striking. In a number of the thinner specimens 

 this alteration varies from %4 to %4 of an inch in thickness and sur- 

 rounds an unaltered core of the original chert. 



Some artifacts suggestive of early times, because of their lack of development, 

 are sometimes greatly altered and discolored. But no one knows how long under 

 natural circumstances it takes to alter a siliceous stone, or how long it requires 

 for stones of the desert to acquire "desert varnish." [Carter, 1951, p. 299.] 



To paraphrase Carter, the question might be raised of the altering of 

 the cortex of chert artifacts as a time factor. Some stone artifacts 

 suggestive of early times, because of their lack of development, are 

 sometimes greatly altered and discolored. Apparently no one knows 

 or will venture a guess as to just how long, under natural circum- 

 stances, it takes to alter the cortex of a siliceous stone resulting in a 

 combination of decomposition and color changes such as have taken 

 place in the southern Virginia and northern North Carolina chert 

 artifacts of a definite artif actual pattern. This alteration not only has 

 smoothed away the rough scars of chipping, but it has penetrated 

 into the body of the artifact itself, in some cases almost entirely 

 through the object and in others to a lesser degree depending upon 

 the thickness of the object involved. 



The task, which is not an easy one, is to try to discover, if possible, 

 the proper placement of each general type of artifact and to insert 

 each into its proper and correct category and sequence; if this fails, 



