Stone
tool material types can be an important indicator of the utilization
of specific areas and trade patterns.
Different stone material types have characteristics
that determine their desirability for stone tool production.
Characteristics that were desirable include easy of
flaking, durability of cutting edges, availability and appearance.
Obsidian, volcanic glass, was widely utilized in the
area of British Columbia because of its highly suitable characteristics.
At the Salmon Beds, only three pieces of obsidian were
recovered indicating only limited availability.
The most common stone material utilized at the Salmon
Beds was Top of the World chert (Table 2). Top of the World chert varies in colour from light to
dark grey, usually with a bluish tinge. It was obtained from
the Top of the World Plateau, approximately 80 km to the southeast.
Other material types include black chert, brown chalcedony
and a limited variety of other materials.
Table
2: Debitage Material
Types
