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Investigation into the Upper Mercer Chert Quarries
by Michael J. Miller, MA
The Upper Mercer quarry site is one of
the more unique archaeological features in the Ohio region. My interest in
the site began in 1994 when I had heard rumor that prehistoric flint pits
were preserved and accessible. I undertook several field trips to the site
and created a limited report on the site in 1997. The following are the photo's taken
in the Spring of 1997.
Upper
Mercer Chert Quarry - Warsaw, Ohio - Coshocton County
The Upper Mercer Chert quarry is one of a few
remaining intact chert quarry sites in Ohio; the largest preserved quarry is
Flint Ridge State Memorial. From a geological
perspective the deposit is part of the Upper Mercer limestone of the Pottsville Formation
within the Pennsylvanian System. Archaeological evidence suggests it was
heavily exploited by the aboriginal inhabitants. The extensive system of
quarry pits and workshop debitage in the area of Nellie and Warsaw Ohio
shows how popular this stone was for the creation of tools. Evidence of
modern flintknappers can be found at the site and along road cuts; referred
to as "Nellie Blue", "Coshocton", and "Mercer" flintknappers besides myself
have found this stone to be a favorite as well. It's color varies
from carbon black to blue to grey and colors can be mixed and of varying
quality. The Upper Mercer deposit is from 6 inches to 3 feet in thickness in
exposed areas. I have been working this material since 1994. Here are a
few select pieces that show the varying color and quality. 
Upper Mercer Chert also outcrops in Perry County Ohio. The stone is of the
same quality and shares many of the same colors, fossil inclusions, and chemical
make-up. These are photos taken of the outcrops near Somerset Ohio. Only one
prehistoric quarry pit has been seen by the author but, fieldwork has been
limited to the area within a project corridor. Upper Mercer Chert Outcrops
- Somerset, Ohio - Perry County
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| Upper Mercer outcrop |
Close-up of outcrop |
Large lens of Upper Mercer Chert |
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| The typical Blue-Black Upper Mercer Chert
is found in abundance in Perry County. The author had several
opportunities to collect material for reference and flintknapping from
construction areas & secondary outwash deposits.
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| Replicas made of Upper Mercer Chert - Perry County
Ohio |
A very interesting archaeological scatter was recovered during fieldwork
in Perry county. A lens of high-grade Flint Ridge Chalcedony outcrops in
proximity to the Upper Mercer Chert; prehistoric use is evidenced by
artifacts recovered with a high percentage of cortex and other early
reduction stage lithics.
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Primary Decortication Flake - Perry County Flint
Ridge Chalcedony. |
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Late Bifacial Thinning Flake - Perry County Flint
Ridge Chalcedony. |
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Hopewell Point replica made of Flint Ridge Chalcedony - Perry
County Ohio |
Fieldwork is ongoing in Perry County and an academic article on the Perry
County Flint Quarries is currently being written.
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