Chert is a general term used to define rock primarily composed of quartz. In North America, chert projectile points have been discovered from this early period. They exhibit sharp, conchoidal fracture, thus providing a good survival tool. Mammoths, mastodons, and other large game animals provided the only subsistence for the early inhabitants as the climate of the Würm glaciation was too harsh for plant subsistence. Thus, quartz was the first mineral of choice as an adaptation to the environment and the beginnings of mineral prospecting.

The chalcedony projectile points have been sourced to Knife River chalcedony from North Dakota. This location indicates the great distance our early ancestors had traveled since their colonization of North America.

Galena has been reported from more than two hundred prehistoric Archaic sites in eastern North America (Rapp and Hill, 1998; 120). Of these sites, galena recovered was associated with burials in over half of the sites. Galena sources are numerous in places such as the Appalachian region and northeastern Oklahoma.

Copper artifacts first appear during the Late Archaic although some archaeologists argue that copper mining began earlier and developed over time. Native copper was available in the form of nuggets outcropping at the surface in the Great Lakes region (Rapp and Hill, 1998; 142). Given there was no technology available to chisel large quantities, it is presumed Archaic societies would hammer pieces of copper to be used for tools, ornaments, and decoration.

Selenite, a variety of gypsum, is a common mineral found in Mammoth Cave of Kentucky. Late Archaic individuals are presumed to have traveled miles to collect selenite, which was likely to be valued for their medicinal properties or ceremonial uses.

Image taken from History of Vesuvius Furnace

Hematite, a red iron oxide, first appears during the late Archaic. Our early ancestors discovery of the red powdered form is often associated with burial rituals and rock art.

Turquoise is found extensively in Chaco Canyon during the 10th century. The source area is not native to Chaco Canyon, thus the Ancestral Puebloan (Anasazi) were prospecting distances where the mineral is found in the veins of weathered volcanic rocks. Heating and quenching the bedrock was used to free the turquoise to process the unique mineral into beads, ornaments, and jewelry for economic trade.