Chert

Introduction: Chert is a hard, fine-grained silica with an uneven, broken pattern. Flint is a variety of chert, usually brown in colour, also with a conchoidal fracture pattern. It can form inorganically from silica-rich fluid deposits, as well as a number of other processes.

Distribution: Widely distributed throughout Namibia in dolomite formations.

Composition: A large amount of iron in chert will change the appearance to red jasper.

Colouration: Grey to grey-white or dark grey to black.

Uses: Chert was the basis for many ancient tools such as arrow heads and hand axes.