Abstract
Chert samples from different coastal and inland outcrops in the Eastern Asturias (Spain) were mineralogically investigated for the first time for archaeological purposes. X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, transmission electron microscopy, infrared and Raman spectroscopy and total organic carbon techniques were used. The low content of moganite, since its detection by X-ray diffraction is practically imperceptible, and the crystallite size (over 1000 Å) of the quartz in these cherts would be indicative of its maturity and could potentially be used for dating chert-tools recovered from archaeological sites. Also, this information can constitute essential data to differentiate the cherts and compare them with those used in archaeological tools. However, neither composition nor crystallite size would allow distinguishing between coastal and inland chert outcrops belonging to the same geological formations.
Highlights
This study presents a systematic characterization of chert outcrops in the Cantabrian
The aim of the current research is to prove the validity of the the crystallite size and moganite content in chert as mineralogical maturity indicators that could be used for: (1) Dating chert-tools recovered from archaeological sites; (2) obtaining essential data to differentiate the chert and compare them with those used in archaeological tools
The factorial analysis has not been able to differentiate between inland and coastal Some aspects of the results obtained with the fundamental analytical techniques used outcrops belonging to the same geological formations in terms of composition, so X-ray fluto characterize the outcrops cherts are discussed below
Summary
From a mineralogical/geological point of view, chert (term used in this paper following Graetsch and Grünberg [1]) is a siliceous rock with, in general, micro and/or cryptocrystalline texture and formed mostly by silica minerals such as quartz, moganite, chalcedony (cryptocrystalline form of silica which contains small amounts of water, both as molecular water and bound in silanol (Si-OH) groups [2]) and other crystalline phases (e.g., carbonates, micas, clays, iron oxides, etc.). The silica content of the chert originally results from the concentration of the micro-organisms remains such as radiolarians, sponges and diatoms. Chert shows great variability in color and texture across a single geological formation, as noted by Frederick and Ringstaff [5]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call