Lithic source identification is a new and exciting subfield of archaeology. Sourcing studies often concentrate on prehistoric quarry areas within primary, or in situ, bedrock outcrops. Other important but underrated resources are primary, non-quarry outcrops and secondary, redeposited materials such as glacial till and water-laid gravels. This article discusses the characterization of chert sources by petrographic, or thin section analysis, and assesses the technique's usefulness in identifying specific rock units as the raw material source for prehistoric artifacts. Data from source areas and from archaeological sites in the Delaware and lower Hudson drainages of New Jersey and New York are used to illustrate the need for analysis of non-quarry chert source localities.
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