Natural Science in Archaeology

x Contents
3.6.2 Placer Deposits .......................................... 63
3.6.3 Residual Deposits ........................................ 64
3.7 Outcrops, Mining, and Quarrying .................................. 65
4 Lithic Materials ........................................................ 69
4.1 Introduction ....................................................... 69
4.2 Microcrystalline Quartz ............................................ 76
4.3 Other Siliceous Rocks ............................................. 82
4.3.1 Quartzite ................................................ 82
4.3.2 Opal ..................................................... 83
4.3.3 Felsite ................................................... 84
4.3.4 Rhyolite/Andesite ........................................ 84
4.3.5 Siliceous Shale/Slate/Schist .............................. 84
4.4 Obsidian .......................................................... 85
4.5 Other Minerals and Rocks ......................................... 88
5 Gemstones, Seal Stones, and Ceremonial Stones ....................... 91
5.1 Introduction ....................................................... 91
5.2 Quartz Minerals (SiO 2 ) ............................................ 94
5.2.1 Crystalline Varieties ...................................... 94
5.2.2 Cryptocrystalline Varieties ............................... 96
5.3 Non-Quartz Silicates and Minerals ................................100
5.3.1 Coarse-Grained .........................................100
5.3.2 Fine-Grained ...........................................106
5.3.3 Glassy ..................................................111
5.4 Carbonate and Sulfate Minerals ...................................111
5.4.1 Coarse-Grained .........................................111
5.4.2 Fine-Grained ...........................................112
5.5 Oxide Minerals ...................................................113
5.6 Organic Gems ....................................................116
5.7 Other Gem Minerals ..............................................119
5.7.1 Sulfide Minerals ........................................120
6 Soft Stones and Other Carvable Materials ............................121
6.1 Introduction ......................................................121
6.2 Serpentinite ......................................................122
6.3 Steatite and Soapstone ............................................125
6.3.1 Asbestos ................................................128
6.4 Alabaster and Gypsum ............................................128
6.5 Limestone and Marble ............................................132
6.6 Catlinite ..........................................................135
6.7 Other Carved Stone ...............................................136
6.8 Sedimentary Rocks ...............................................137
6.9 Volcanic Rocks ...................................................140
6.10 Miscellaneous Rocks .............................................141