Burlington chert is highly variable in many attributes, including color, translucency, luster, knappability, mottling and fossil inclusions. Can be found in nodular, tabular, or bedded form in creeks and bluff lines. Considered to be one of the higher-quality lithic raw materials in the Central Mississippi River Valley, from the American Bottom and Greater St. Louis area to the confluence of the Arkansas and Mississippi rivers. The Central Mississippi Valley includes portions of the states of Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Mississippi.
There are 5 varieties of Burlington: Generic, Keokuk, High Ridge,Mozarkite, Graydon.
Quarried Burlington chert is blue/white, cream and white, fine grained with a dull luster. When heat treated it can turn beautiful shades of orange, pink and red with a waxy texture/look that is easily knappable.
Photo courtesy of JoshinMO
Heat treated:
photos courtesy of rmartin
photos courtesy of joshinmo
photo courtesy of turkeytail
There are 5 varieties of Burlington: Generic, Keokuk, High Ridge,Mozarkite, Graydon.
Quarried Burlington chert is blue/white, cream and white, fine grained with a dull luster. When heat treated it can turn beautiful shades of orange, pink and red with a waxy texture/look that is easily knappable.
Photo courtesy of JoshinMO
Heat treated:
photos courtesy of rmartin
photos courtesy of joshinmo
photo courtesy of turkeytail