MEMPHIS ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY

MAGS Rockhound News ◊ A monthly newsletter for and by the members of MAGS

Volume 63 ◊ Number 01 ◊ January 2017 ◊ A monthly newsletter for and by the members of MAGS Mapping Prehistoric Tool-stone Use In this issue Ryan M Parish, Ph. D.January Program Mapping Prehistoric Department of Earth Sciences, The Tool-stone Use P. 1 Public Comment P. 1 MAGS And Federation Notes P. 2 President’s Message P. 3 Acclaim for Your Newsletter P. 3 Library Report P. 4 January Birthdays P. 4 Attention MAGS Members P. 5 Fabulous Fossils P. 5 New Members P. 6 Richardson Landing Finds P. 6 November Board Minutes P. 6 November Meeting Minutes P.7 MAGS17 Membership Programs P. 7 Celebration P. 7 Ferdinand Braun… The focus of my talk will be (to date consisting of close to Modern World P. 8 understanding prehistoric behav- 5,000 samples from approximately What An Adventure! P. 9 ior from understanding where on 170 deposits), 2) sourcing chert Jewelry Bench Tips P. 11 the landscape they obtained chert artifacts back to the location on Dino History Revised P. 11 to use for manufacturing stone the landscape where people got tools. I'd like to briefly summar- the resource, and 3) I'll wrap MAGS At A Glance P. 12 ize: 1) my work on creating a chert things up with some of the recent type database for the Southeast groups of artifacts Continued, P. 5

PUBLIC COMMENTSLINDA MCCALL, PRESIDENT, NORTH CAROLINA FOSSIL CLUB The Paleontological Resources Protection Act The next paragraph is an announcement from (PRPA) was signed into law on 30 March 2009, and Scott Foss of the BLM and Vincent Santucci of the federal agencies were tasked with writing their own . The proposed regulation rules for how they would put the law into effect. The under the fossil law known as “PRPA” is available for rules for the U. S. Forest Service went into effect on public comment. This is a critical opportunity to 18 May 2015. Now, the Bureau of Land Management carefully read the proposed regulation and (BLM) has finished the draft of its rules, and it is thoughtfully make lawmakers aware of your open for comments until 6 February 2017. viewpoint. Don’t miss this chance to Continued, P. 4

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MAGS Rockhound News ◊ A monthly newsletter for and by the members of MAGS 2017-2018 MAGS BOARD MAGS AND FEDERATION NOTES President–Charles Hill 1070 Park Swain Road, Grand Junction, TN 38039 Memphis Archaeological and Geological Society, ◊ (901) 626-4232 ◊ [email protected] Memphis, Tennessee 1st VP (Field Trips)–James Butchko The objectives of this society shall be as set out in the Charter 4220 Dunn, Memphis, TN 38111 ◊ (901) 743-0058 ◊ of Incorporation issued by the State of Tennessee on September [email protected] 29, 1958, as follows: for the purpose of promoting an active 2nd VP (Adult Programs)–W. C. McDaniel interest in the geological finds and data by scientific methods; to 2038 Central Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104 ◊ (901) 274-7706 ◊ [email protected] offer possible assistance to any archaeologist or geologist in the general area covered by the work and purposes of this society; to Secretary–Mike Baldwin 367 North Main Street, Collierville, TN 38017 ◊ discourage commercialization of archaeology and work to its (901) 853-3603 ◊ [email protected] elimination and to assist in the younger members of the society; Treasurer–Bonnie Cooper to publicize and create further public interest in the archaeo- 8695 Baylor Road, Arlington, TN 38002 ◊ (901) logical and geological field in the general area of the Mid-South 444-0967 ◊ [email protected] and conduct means of displaying, publishing and conducting Director (Asst. Field Trips)– Kim Hill public forums for scientific and educational purposes. 4755 Royal Elm Cove, Memphis, TN 38128 ◊ (901) 388-7572 ◊ [email protected] MAGS General Membership Meetings and MAGS Youth Director (Asst. Adult Programs)–Dave Clarke ◊ Meetings are held at 7:00 P. M. on the second Friday of every 456 North White Station Road, Memphis TN 38117 month, year round. The meetings are held in the Fellowship ◊ (901) 308-0334 ◊ dclarke@fieldmuseum.org Hall of Shady Grove Presbyterian Church, 5530 Shady Grove Director (Youth Programs)–Open Road, Memphis, Tennessee. Director (Asst. Youth Programs)–Open memphisgeology.org Director (Librarian)–Leah Gloyd MAGS Website: 2151 Dogwood Creek Court, Apartment 202, MAGS Show Website: www.theearthwideopen.com Collierville, TN 38017 ◊ (270) 847-3170 ◊ [email protected] We aren’t kidding when we say this is a newsletter for and by the Director (Asst. Librarian)—Jane Brandon members of MAGS. An article with a byline was written by a 4384 Castle Avenue, Memphis, TN 38122 ◊ (901) MAGS Member, unless explicitly stated otherwise. If there is 374-0366 ◊ [email protected] no byline, the article was written or compiled by the Editor. Director (Membership Services)–Bob Cooper Please contribute articles or pictures on any subject of interest 8695 Baylor Road, Arlington, TN 38002 ◊ (901) to rockhounds. If it interests you it probably interests others. 444-0967 ◊ [email protected] The 15th of the month is the deadline for next month’s issue. Director (Historian)–Carol Lybanon Send material to [email protected]. 2019 Littlemore Drive. Memphis, TN 38016 ◊ (901) 757-2144 ◊ [email protected] January DMC Field Trip Newsletter Editor–Matthew Lybanon 2019 Littlemore Drive. Memphis, TN 38016 ◊ (901) WHERE: Diamond Hill Mine, Antreville, SC (fee site) 757-2144 ◊ [email protected] WHEN: Saturday, January 28, 8:00 A. M. to dusk Webmaster–Mike Baldwin 367 North Main Street, Collierville, TN 38017 ◊ COLLECTING: smoky quartz, amethyst, several other (901) 853-3603 ◊ [email protected] varieties of quartz, garnets, mica, epidote Show Chairman–James Butchko INFORMATION: Angela Valvasori, (803) 960-6667 or 4220 Dunn, Memphis, TN 38111 ◊ (901) 743-0058 ◊ [email protected] [email protected] Past President–W. C. McDaniel Links to Federation News 2038 Central Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104 ◊ (901) 274-7706 ◊ [email protected] ➡ AFMS: www.amfed.org/afms_news.htm ➡ SFMS: www.amfed.org/sfms/ ➡ DMC: www.amfed.org/sfms/_dmc/dmc.htm

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MAGS Rockhound News ◊ A monthly newsletter for and by the members of MAGS President’s Message e-mail me anytime at Carol Lybanon, “Tools for Safe [email protected]. Rockhounding” (October 2015) Hello, everyone. Happy New SFMS–10th Place Year! Welcome to 2017. I just Thanks, Bill Gilbert, “Collecting Pyrite at want to say thank you for all the Charles support I have received so far as Navajun” (January 2015) your new president. I am both SFMS–Honorable Mention happy and honored. Since W. C. Acclaim for Your Donna Budynas, “Ptero Goes to has been such an excellent leader, Newsletter Hutchison” (June 2015) setting us in the right direction Results from the 2016 Bulletin SFMS–Honorable Mention and on a good course, this job Editor’s Contest are in; MAGS James Johnson, “Clement Museum should be easier for me. Our Rockhound News did well thanks to 2015 Annual Show & Dig” (August Board is also very competent. We the people who contributed to it. 2015) have an outstanding MAGS family, (The 2016 contest involved publi- SFMS–Honorable Mention and I am pleased to be part of it. cations from 2015.) Editors sub- Lori Carter, “More Than Tiny As always, the upcoming April mitted material to their regional Rocks” (September 2015) 22-23, 2017, MAGS Mineral, Fossil, federations, in our case the South- SFMS–Honorable Mention and Jewelry Show should be in the east Federation of Mineralogical forefront of everyone’s mind. I Societies (SFMS). Our entries Adult Articles-Advanced can’t say it enough: the Show is were judged against submissions Alan Schaeffer, M. D., “The our moment to shine! It is the from other SFMS clubs (there are Necessity Of Eye Protection” single most work-intensive thing more than 80, from seven states). (November 2015) we do. It is also our best venue for Each regional federation sent the SFMS–3rd Place showcasing MAGS, as well as our top three finishers in each cate- Feature Articles-Written best source of revenue. So please gory to the national federation, think about ways you can help the American Federation of Robert Connolly, “What’s Hap- make this year’s Show better. Mineralogical Societies (AFMS), pening At ?” (January 2015) We are still looking for where the SFMS entries were judged against the best from the SFMS–2nd Place someone to step forward and help AFMS–Honorable Mention with the Junior Program. Please other six regional federations. call me if you are interested. If The results are shown below. Susan Thompson, “New Window” you can’t serve as the Junior Pro- Thanks again to all those who (March 2015) gram Director, maybe you could helped make MAGS Rockhound SFMS–4th Place take responsibility for presenting News a winner. Kim Hill, “Just A Little ‘bout one or two programs. We need Adult Articles Jonesboro” (January 2015) help with this. If we are unable to SFMS–5th Place identify a program director, I will Mike Baldwin, “Fluorescent Minerals: Trick or Treat?” Debbie Schaeffer, “Drinks All put out a list and ask for monthly Around” (March 2015) volunteers. (November 2015) SFMS–1st Place SFMS–Honorable Mention I am hoping to have a great Charles Hill, ”Field Trip Report” year, I welcome any and all ideas. Matthew Lybanon, “Quartz— Electrifying News” (March 2015) (July 2015) If you have any questions or sug- SFMS–Honorable Mention gestions, you can call me between SFMS–2nd Place W. C. McDaniel, “President’s 2:30 P. M. and 9:00 P. M. week- Amber Dunn, “Plastoglomerates Message” (July 2015) days or after 10:00 A. M. on from the Anthropocene?” SFMS–Honorable Mention weekends. My number is (901) (October 2015) 626-4232. If you like, you can also SFMS–3rd Place Matthew Lybanon, “Floods and Archaeology in Continued, P. 4

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MAGS Rockhound News ◊ A monthly newsletter for and by the members of MAGS Acclaim for Your Newsletter Library Report Swap months of May and August.) Continued fom P. 3 Leah Gloyd Books in our library are available for checkout for up to 2 months at Tennessee” (December 2015) Happy New Year, MAGS SFMS–Honorable Mention a time! We have books regarding Members! an astounding variety of Special Publications A new year full of Sherri and Mike Baldwin, “Don’t amazing adventures Pick Up A Stick If It Moves!” to come within our (September 2015) club. To all Members, SFMS–1st Place old and new: Hello! AFMS–3rd Place I'm Leah, your Matthew Lybanon, “Tule Springs” Librarian for 2017, (January 2015) and I can't wait to SFMS–2nd Place have some fun with AFMS–4th Place you all! Bob Cooper, “One Member’s For many people, Approach to Climbing” a new year means archaeological and geological (September 2015) making resolutions or goals. topics and it’s FREE with your SFMS–Honorable Mention Maybe that includes reading more or learning something new? yearly membership! Literally, Large Bulletins Maybe not, but now that we've come check it out! MAGS Rockhound News, May 2015 mentioned it… P. S.: We accept donations to issue So, allow me to tell you about our library year round, so if you SFMS–1st Place one of the awesome perks of your need to lighten your load (or know AFMS–10th Place membership; free, all-inclusive someone who does) contact me access to our club's library! It is for details. I'm also here to full of over 500 books and resour- answer any questions regarding ces and is available to you at every your library benefits. See you club meeting (excluding our Rock soon!

Public Comments make your voice other helpful documents, or Grayson Herbert Continued fom P. 1 heard. navigate directly to the Federal 13Vincent Schultz The Register at https:// 16Francis ‘Mitch’ Mitchell Department of the Interior www.federalregister.gov/ and Brandon Hubble proposed regulation under the search for Regulation Identifi- 18Tricia Spence Paleontological Resources cation Number 1093-AA16. Ricky Waters Preservation Act of 2009 (PRPA) 21Brooke Ledbetter has been scheduled for publication January Birthdays Richard Gunter in the Federal Register on Wed- 2Justin Coulson 23Amber Gonzalez nesday, December 7. The pro- 3Mary Kratz Matthew Smith posed regulation will be available 6Nick Fowler 24Zoe McGregor for public inspection and com- Julie A. Gilbert Dr. Jon Stanford ment until Monday, February 6, 7Rosie Crawford 28Lannah Ferri 2017. Starting on December 7, you 29Brady Gull may navigate your browser to 8Richard Ervin 30Mary Rauzi www.blm.gov/paleontology for 10Noa Parks 31Teressa Noyes links to the proposed rule and 11Sarah Stockwell Abigail Loyd

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MAGS Rockhound News ◊ A monthly newsletter for and by the members of MAGS Mapping Prehistoric Tool-stone Use Fabulous Tennessee Fossils Continued fom P. 1 Dr. Michael A. Gibson, and cultures I'm looking at to give University of Tennessee at Martin concrete examples about how understanding where people got FTF 24 — Tennessee Namesake Index & Guide chert from can give us information Fossils: Ceratopea tennesseensis about how they lived. In this article we focus on the only Kingdom Animalia Attention MAGS molluscan index fos- Phylum Mollusca sil listed in Shimer Class Gastropoda Members and Schrock’s (1944), Subclass Prosobranchia Bob Cooper Index Fossils of North Order Archaeogastropoda Now is the time to start think- America with a Family Ceratopeidae Yochelson and Bridge, 1957 ing about renewing your MAGS tennesseensis epithet, a Genus Ceratopea Ulrich, 1911 membership for 2017. Some gastropod: Ceratopea Species tennesseensis tennesseensis (Figure Members have already renewed generally considered “univalved”, 1). The genus Ceratopea was coined and you can also. Remember, the but this is actually not entirely described in MAGS member-ship runs from correct. 1911 by E.O. January 1 to December 31. The Gastropods Ulrich for membership fees for 2017 are: also have a specimens in ★ $25.00 (Family) “trap door” eastern that seals off ★ $15.00 (Individual-this is a North the opening change) America, of the snail ★ $10.00 (Junior) Greenland, shell when and Scotland You can renew at the MAGS the body is (E.O. Ulrich. Membership Meetings or by mail. retracted up 1911 Revision When renewing by mail, make into the of the Paleo- your check payable to MAGS and whorls mail to Bob Cooper, 8695 zoic Systems. Baylor Rd., Arlington, TN Geological (“operculum”). The trap door can 38002. Those of you who have Society of America Bulletin be mineralized, although usually already renewed or will renew by 22:281-680), but did not include less well so than the rest of the the end of the January 2017 Tennessee specimens at that gastropod shell. Except in the Membership Meeting will have a point. The type specimen designa- case of these Ordovician snails, chance to win a fossilized bivalve ted by Ulrich was C. keithi. It is the operculum was much more scallop. The drawing for the considered an index fossil to the calcified, resembling a slightly fossilized bivalve scallop will be Ordovician, specifically the Lower curved bullet. Additionally the held at the end Ordovician, and can be found operculum may also have been of the January from Tennessee to Missouri and constructed of the more stable 2017 into West Texas. Ceratopea was calcite rather than aragonite named in a somewhat unusual polymorph of calcite, thus making Membership manner in that the actual coiled it more preservable. Meeting. gastropod shell was not known at As it turns out “Canada’s First You do not the time. Rather, Ulrich named Paleontologist” Elkanah Billings need to be the fossil based upon the opercu- (1820-1876) had described three present to Prize! lum only. Gastropods (snails), fossil opercula with win. mostly have coiled shells and are Continued, P. 6

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MAGS Rockhound News ◊ A monthly newsletter for and by the members of MAGS

Fabulous Tennessee Fossils similar Richardson Landing will also email another renewal notice Continued fom P. 5 features in Finds to the whole club in November & 1859 as December. Ron & Letitia Brister are belonging to the genus of snail he our latest Lifetime Members. called Maclurites (Billings placed Field Trips: Charles will lead the his fossils within the Silurian per- December 17 field trip. We will meet iod, but is should be remembered at Dale Hollow Lake at 10 am,.and that the Ordovician Period would around 12:00-12:20 we will leave and not formally be named for twenty go to the Ledbetter Farm to collect more years in 1879), some of which geodes. We will check with Melba Cole to see if it's ok to stop by her were later shown to be species of New MAGS Member Leo property to hunt for fossils/minerals Ceratopea by Charles R.L. Oder Koulogianos sent this picture of while we are in the area. Jim Butchko (1932, Fossil Opercula From the petrified wood, coral, and various and Kim Hill will lead the January 21 Knox Dolomite, American Mid- other rocks he found on a recent trip to the Vulcan Quarry. We will land Naturalist, 13(3):133-153) used Richardson Landing field trip. meet at 6 am at the quarry office to opercula found in the Knox Dolo- Thanks, Leo. People love pictures get checked in and get a safety talk. mite of Eastern Tennessee to re- We must be out of the quarry by like this. Let’s hope other Mem- evaluate all of these opercula and 12:00 so they want us to start wrap- bers get the idea. proposed standard terminology for ping it up around 11:30. their description along with recog- November Board Minutes Adult Programs: Ashley Allen will be the speaker for the November nizing ten new species (nine of Bonnie Cooper for Mike Baldwin which were found in Tennessee). Membership Meeting. He will discuss Oder erected Ceratopea tennesseensis Called to order 6:30. Present: W. C. the Union Chapel Mine and other McDaniel, Charles Hill, Carol noting that C. tennesseensis is dis- fossils found in the area. Lybanon, Matthew Lybanon, Bob Junior Programs: Juniors will make tinguished from other species by Cooper, Bonnie Cooper, James the shape of its muscle pit or pits gem trees in November. No Junior Butchko, Kim Hill, Debbie Schaeffer. program in December. and its peculiar tusk-like overall Secretary: Mike distributed min- shape. Oder himself is another Historian, Library, Web: No utes via email. Mike was absent but reports. Tennessee mystery as very little is Bonnie distributed hardcopies. available on him biographically. Newsletter: Matthew requested Minutes approved, one correction. pictures of the DMC trip to Memphis He was employed by the State of Treasurer: Bonnie emailed copies of Stone & Gravel for the newsletter. Tennessee to map lead zinc occur- the October checking register and the Show : Jim advised the first Show rences and mapping in eastern October summary to all Board Mem- meeting is set up for 6:30 on Monday, Tennessee, suggesting he was a bers. Treasurer’s Report approved. She November 7, at the Agricenter. He geologist more than a paleontolo- requested all Board Members to think will schedule future meetings for the gist. In writing this article I about what amounts they would like Mondays after Board Meetings. checked into my library of field budgeted for their positions for 2017. Checks for Chucalissa and Ronald Old Business: None. book scan and see I have three of New Business: W. C. advised we Oder’s field books for this project, McDonald House have been written. Membership: Bob advised we have need to pass on any information to so perhaps I can find some men- whoever is taking over your position tion of these fossils in his notes. 2 new Members and have started to receive some renewals. A notice was 2017-2018. He said we’ve received a emailed to the whole club advising it request to host SandFest 2018. The New Members is time to renew and that those who Holiday Party was discussed and details worked out on food, gifts and renewed would be entered in a draw- Leo Koulogianos entertainment. Jim to pick up the Jan Harris ing for a fossilized bivalve scallop shell. This same notice plus a picture poinsettias (12-15), Carol will bake the Brooke Ledbetter of the shell will be in the November, turkey breasts, Bonnie will bake the Christine Ledbetter hams, and W. C. will December, & January newsletters. We Continued, P. 7

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MAGS Rockhound News ◊ A monthly newsletter for and by the members of MAGS

November Board Minutes pick up Nomination and election of 2017-18 ter. W. C. brought a display of tum- Continued fom P. 6 the officers. Motion that this slate of bled crinoids from Dale Hollow. tablecloths officers be accepted by acclamation Displays: Charles Hill, Nannett and bag the gifts. carried. W.C. informed Members of McDougall-Dykes, new members Leo Adjourned 7:50. the details of the December party. and Jan, Kim Hill, W. C. McDaniel. Three field trips left in 2016: Novem- Carol introduced the club to Ashley November Meeting ber 19, Richardson’s Landing. Decem- Allen. His program: “Alabama: A Minutes ber 17, Dale Hollow and Ledbetter. Paleozoic Paradise”. Mike Baldwin January 21, Parsons. Currently there Adjourned 8:30. are 18 people on the list. 25 is the Called to order 7:09. 3 visitors. limit. Bring a rake if you go to Ledbet- MAGS17 Membership Programs W. C. McDaniel Planning for the 2017 programs for the monthly MAGS membership meetings is forging ahead. The programs will be presented in three formats. Speaker program Program highlights include archaeological programs covering stone tools, the Viking warship Oseberg, and geological presentations to include rock hunting down under (Australia), small crystals, making gem trees, opals and carving jade. Table Top Safari New this year. The safari will be a hybrid of table top presentations that will include exhibits, displays, educational information, and how to. Some of the table tap safaris will include petrified wood, metal detecting, cleaning and prepping specimens, rock tumbling and tools of the trade/hobby. Displays Bring a display of recent finds, hobbies, collections or things that interest you and/or Members, Names of all displayers will be entered into a grand prize drawing at the December Holiday Party. Continued, P. 8

Celebration Photo credits: Mike Coulson, Carol Lybanon Leah Gloyd, Matthew Lybanon On December 9 MAGS Members again joined to celebrate the upcoming holiday season. We had a record turnout. As usual, we had delicious food to share, and fun and games. Thanks to all who helped plan, execute, set up, clean up, and donated bingo prizes. A special thanks to W. C. McDaniel who selected our wonderful holiday gifts and designed the “Field Trip” bingo game. Wow! Let’s do it again next year.

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MAGS Rockhound News ◊ A monthly newsletter for and by the members of MAGS MAGS17 Membership Programs Working Schedule Continued fomP. 7 Month/ Primary Program Table Top Safari Displays Date Members, bring those displays, enter into drawing for grand prize at the December Holiday Party Jan 13 Ryan M. Parish, PhD Petrified wood Members, bring those displays “Mapping Prehistoric Tool-stone Formation, colors, Use” identification Feb 10 Rendy Hunt The tools of beading Members, bring those displays “Vikings and Memphis: Recreating the Oseberg burial” Mar.10 David Cocke Digging up Memphis Members, bring those displays “Rock hunting Down Under” Metal detecting and Bottle collecting Apr 14 MAGS, Show Committee Tour the show Members, bring those displays The Earth Wide Open May 12 Make a Gem Tree none Members, bring those displays Group activity June 9 Mike Howard Minerals under the Members, bring those displays “Collecting Tiny Crystals” microscope July 14 Belinda Fish, Belz Museum To be announced Members, bring those displays “Carving Jade and Other Minerals” Aug 11 Rock Swap none No displays Sep 8 Barry Gilmore To be announced Members, bring those displays “Opals” Oct 13 To be announced To be announced Members, bring those displays Nov 10 To be announced To be announced Members, bring those displays Dec 8 Holiday Party none Drawing for Display prize of the year Ferdinand Braun, crystal materials. Braun demon- Braun shared the 1909 Nobel strated this device to an audience Prize in Physics with Guglielmo Galena, Radio, and the at Leipzig on November 14, 1876. Marconi for his “contributions to Modern World It found no useful application at the development of wireless teleg- Matthew Lybanon the time. But wait. raphy,” mainly the development of "Everything should be made as Braun is better known for his tunable circuits for radio receivers. simple as possible, but not simp- development of the cathode ray In 1899 Braun patented a “crystal ler."—Albert Einstein. Keep tube (CRT) oscilloscope in 1897. detector,” based on his earlier Einstein’s advice in mind as you If you had a TV set before the research with crystals. This device read this article. LCD flat screen was developed, was made of a single metal wire, fondly called a “cat's whisker,” In 1874, German physicist you can thank Braun for it (but touching a semiconductor crystal. Ferdinand Braun studied the char- don’t blame him for the program- The result was a “rectifying acteristics of electrolytes and ming)—the picture tube was a diode”, which lets current through crystals that conduct electricity. CRT. More than that, Braun’s easily one way, but hinders flow When he probed a galena (PbS) discovery of the rectifying effect the other way. crystal with the point of a thin of certain crystals eventually led to metal wire, Braun noted that cur- the transistor, the basis of all The rest of this article is about rent flowed freely in one direction modern electronics. how Braun’s crystal detector was only. He had discovered the recti- Before the cell phone, the used in radios—crystal radios. It’s fication effect at the point of con- personal computer, and television, an interesting story in itself, but tact between metals and certain there was (and still is) radio. the preceding Continued, P. 9

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MAGS Rockhound News ◊ A monthly newsletter for and by the members of MAGS Ferdinand Braun…Modern World was the crystal set. (You may have galena) to make a crude point- Continued fomP. 8 built one; it used to be a standard contact rectifier. Only certain paragraphs are there to emphasize Boy Scout project.) It had four sites on the crystal surface func- that crystal radios were just one main parts: an antenna, a tuning tion as rectifying junctions. The step along the path that led to the circuit, a crystal detector, and device was very sensitive to the modern world. earphones. The antenna picked exact geometry and pressure of up AM radio signals and converted contact between wire and crystal How does a radio signal carry them to varying voltages. The —it was touchy and had to be sound from one place to another? tuning circuit (a few simple com- adjusted frequently. But crystal A radio signal is an electromag- ponents) selected one “carrier radios were cheap, and were sold netic wave, not a sound wave, and frequency” from all the signals or made at home (cheaper) by the its frequency is far higher than coming through the air. The millions. So they were a major audible sound frequencies. Every- output was, essentially, the signal driving force in the introduction body now knows (sort of) that the your chosen radio station sent to of radio to the public, contribu- radio signal gets converted into a its transmitter (top graph). The ting to the development of radio voltage that goes through some crystal detector—Braun’s inven- as an entertainment medium with kind of circuitry, and eventually tion—”threw away” the negative the beginning of radio broadcast- gets passed to a speaker system half of the signal, resulting in what ing around 1920. that produces sound. But the the middle graph shows. The high genius is in the details. Crystal radios were superseded radio frequencies (RF) were still by other types, but they were the At the radio station, sound there. Sometimes there’s circuitry first widely used type of radio somehow gets “impressed” onto a to smooth the signal, but the ear- receiver. And it all started when a radio wave, which travels from the phone diaphragm can’t oscillate as scientist conducted research on station’s antenna to your radio. fast as the RF rate, so the ear- crystals. So the next time you see This process is called “modula- phones acted as a “low-pass filter,” a galena crystal, show some tion,” and there are two types: yielding the bottom graph. Only respect. And before you dismiss a amplitude modulation (AM) and four simple parts, and no power basic research project as an frequency modulation (FM). In required! All the power necessary impractical waste of money, ask AM, the audio signal gets con- for this to operate came from the yourself how many people in the verted into the “envelope” of the radio signal itself. 19th century could have anticipa- radio wave, as shown in the top ted the internet and the iPhone. part of the figure. The radio receiver reverses the process. Want to build your own crystal radio? Check out www.sciencebuddies.org/ science-fair-projects/project- ideas/Elec_p014/electricity- electronics/crystal-radio.

What An Adventure! The “cat’s whisker” crystal Kim Hil detector (see picture) in crystal What a wonderful adven- radios was actually an improved ture our field trip to Livingston, version, developed by other Tennessee, was! I made the trip people, but it was based on Braun’s with my friends and fellow Mem- work. It consists of a thin wire bers Anne and Carla. We had that lightly touches a crystal of In the early 1900s the most originally thought semiconducting mineral (usually common type of radio receiver to all ride together Continued, P. 10

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MAGS Rockhound News ◊ A monthly newsletter for and by the members of MAGS What An Adventure! in Anne's When we got there we chatted a back to our cars and made ready Continued fom P. 9 SUV, but little more with him, and gave to hit the second place on our list, when we him big hugs, which put a big the Ledbetter farm for geodes. thought about it we realized if I smile on his face. For me any drive in the rode with them we wouldn't have Some of us wandered on over mountains is rejuvenating and it enough room for buckets. Every to the other side of the boat ramp was a beautiful ride, with pastures rockhound knows even if we don't and some to another area, but we full of cows and horses, an old fill them all up we need all our didn’t find anything like Charles house, ponds. But I digress; we buckets. and I remembered finding before. made it to the Ledbetters, went They wanted me to use Carla's The place just didn't look right. over to the house to meet them cell phone to keep in touch. I am We remembered picnic tables. and find out where to hunt. cell phone illiterate and knew I’d Pat finally got some reception and have a wreck trying to use it. So I located the place we wanted. bought some walkie talkies, which None us were upset about not worked great for keeping in touch, finding the place right off. We commenting on what we saw, and looked at the journey as an adven- when to take potty breaks. ture and were just enjoying the The trip was a long one but beauty of the mountains. If we with the talkies, at least for me, it hadn't gone to that area we would wasn't too bad. When we finally never have seen the beautiful little got to Livingston, Anne's GPS waterfalls coming out of the side sent us 30 miles in the wrong of the mountain. We climbed up the path in the direction to get to the hotel. It pasture to the area he said and did at least let us see where the started looking. At first we morning meeting site was. weren’t finding much, but kept In the morning we headed to searching. I finally went into the brush. Finding a dry creek bed I the meeting place at the Dairy Queen. Charles and his gang had began raking away the leaves and soon started finding geodes. As I gotten up earlier and were already there. Another Member was also am bad about doing, I became engrossed in the hunt ‘til Charles supposed to be there. I won’t Whatever it was called, when name names, but he had the direc- called out asking if anyone was we finally made it we hit the bon- finding any. tions to the first place on our list, anza in crinoids. We each began Dale Hollow Lake for crinoids. filling our buckets. I found some So engrossed was I in my hunt I didn't notice my friends had Being the adventurers we are great individual pieces and nice we decided to head on out and see small plates. I think everyone was returned to their cars until Anne hollered that we were leaving. what we could find. Our first stop happy with what they found. You was in a for-pay area where we met could hear lots of clunks as things Thank goodness for Leo and his wagon and strong back ‘cause a wonderful gentleman who told of were tossed into buckets, always a us his experiences in World War 2. good sound when hunting. there was no way I was getting those buckets back down to my The main thing I could remember Charles called an end to that truck alone. about the place we were looking trip. Like little kids we begged for for was a road that was pretty a little more time,but in winter It was another long trip, this much one lane with one side daylight runs out fast. So we—I time mostly in the dark with straight up and the other straight was gonna say “hauled” but it was warnings of bad weather. The down. He thought he knew the more like “drug”—our buckets weather during our hunts was place so we followed him to it. perfect for Continued, P. 11

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MAGS Rockhound News ◊ A monthly newsletter for and by the members of MAGS What An Adventure! hunting: not angle. Then apply whatever Dino History Revised Continued fom P. 10 too cold or abrasive grit you will need for the Matthew Lybanon (Editor) hot with job or hold a strip of sandpaper overcast skies. But we hit rain just around the end. Loose grit can be It is mostly accepted that the outside of Nashville, nothing too held onto the tip with a bit of dinosaurs were done in by the bad, and we soon moved out of it. vaseline or oil. Tripoli or rouge climatic after-effects of the impact We stopped about 60 miles out of can be just rubbed onto the end of of the asteroid that carved a vast Memphis and it was 72 degrees. I the chopstick. crater 180km across near the Yuca- had ridden with my window down tan Peninsula in Mexico. Now the the whole way. About a mile down focus has shifted from how they the road I called to Anne and died out to where they came from Carla and asked if they could smell in the first place. In a paper just the cold in the air. Carla answered published in Current Biology, a back saying the temperature had team led by Max Langer at the dropped to 50. A short time later University of São Paulo reports it was 40.and the winds had really the excavation of four fossils that picked up and were knocking my shed some intriguing light on two little truck around. As we got different aspects of that question. closer to Memphis the rain started The fossils (Buriolestes schultzi) up again. It wasn't so bad for me come from the Santa Maria forma- but Anne and Carla live in Cold- OCHRE APPLICATOR tion in the south of the country. One of them, at 230m years in age, water, . They ran into Yellow ochre is used when you is one of the oldest dinosaur fossils some real bad weather, but they want to be sure the solder won't ever found. did make it home safely. flow on an area of your piece while I can safely say the Livingston you're soldering another area. The Palaeontologists have long trip was a wonderful adventure, only problem with ochre is coming thought that dinosaurs rose to and if you haven't taken one of the up with a good way to store and dominance early in the Jurassic out-of-town field trips you are apply it. period, by out-competing and rap- idly replacing other land animals missing a lot of fun! I use recycled nail polish that emerged earlier. One such bottles. They seal well and have a group was the lagerpetids, a group Jewelry Bench Tips by built-in brush applicator. Just of reptiles with some dinosaurian Brad Smith clean them out with a little characteristics that arose about acetone or nail polish remover, SANDING/POLISHING IN 236m years ago, during the Triassic and they're ready to go. TIGHT PLACES period. Fragmentary evidence has Often you'll need to sand or suggested this idea is wrong. The polish an area that's impossible to Brazilian discovery clearly reveals reach with even a small wheel on a a lagerpetid living alongside a flexshaft. Other times it might be dinosaur more than 30m years the bottom of a pocket or inside before the start of the Jurassic. bottom corner of a box that needs Ref: Cabreira, Sergio Furtado et al., to be finished. One trick for these A Unique Late Triassic Dinosauro- nit-picky jobs may be left over morph Assemblage Reveals Dinosaur from your last Chinese dinner—a Ancestral Anatomy and Diet, Current chopstick. Biology, Volume 26, Issue 22, See all Brad's jewelry books at I've found quite a few uses for 3090-3095, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/ Amazon.com/author/ these in the shop. Prepare the tip 10.1016/j.cub.2016.09.040 bradfordsmith by simply sawing it off at a 45º .

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MAGS Rockhound News ◊ A monthly newsletter for and by the members of MAGS MAGS At A Glance January 2017 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Board Meeting, 6:30 pm, St. Francis Hospital 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Membership Meeting, 7:00 pm, ‘Mapping Prehistoric Tool-stone Use’ 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 MAGS Field Trip, Vulcan Quarry, Parsons, TN 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 DMC Field Trip, Diamond Hill Mine, Antreville, SC 29 30 31 1 2 3 4

Memphis Archaeological and Geological Society 2019 Littlemore Drive Memphis, TN 38016

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