Lithic Reference Center of Quebec

6830 Av. du Parc, bureau 580
Montreal, Quebec, CANADA H3N 1W7

Prehistoric peoples preferentially used certain stones to make their tools and weapons. These rocks were chiefly cherts, quartzites and rhyolites, and came from distinct geographic regions. By comparing stone artifacts with geological samples of known provenience, the archaeologist can establish the original source of procurement. The knowledge of procurement sources which were exploited prehistorically provides important information regarding raw material acquisition strategies, the spheres of interaction among different peoples, seasonal migration, population movement, and systems of exchange.

Unfortunately, the sources of raw materials found on archaeological sites are very often ignored. It is because most archaeologists fail to address this concern that a reference collection of geological samples of Quebec lithic raw materials is absolutely necessary for a better understanding of human prehistoric behaviour. None of the lithic reference collections which already exist in the northeast of North America contain any significant number of raw materials from Quebec. The Lithic Reference Centre of Quebec (CRLQ) responds to this need by bringing together samples of raw materials from Quebec, as well as from Ontario and the northeastern United States.

The CRLQ is a non-profit organisation whose board of directors comprises Daniel Chevrier, Pierre Dumais, and Yvon Codere. The goals of the CRLQ are:

  1. - to assemble a lithic reference collection for the use of archaeologists,
  2. - to promote research into the sourcing of lithic raw materials used in prehistory,
  3. - to help spread knowledge of the lithic resources of Quebec.
To fund this service, the CRLQ sells membership at the cost of $30 for individuals and $50 for institutions.

Members in the CRLQ will have many privileges, such as:

  1. - they will receive the list of samples accessible at the CRLQ;
  2. - the opportunity to participate in fieldtrips to outcrops of lithic raw materials located in southern Quebec;
  3. - they will receive Asini, a newsletter which will be prepared two or three times a year and will contain
    - lithic analysis details,
    - announcements of upcoming fieldtrips,
    - descriptions of samples acquired since the last newsletter;
  4. - privileged access to the CRLQ collection.
Do not hesitate to become a member and thereby participate in the creation of an organisation unique in the northeast of North America!

Yvon Codere, MSc, Director

To join CRLQ, use this form or send this information:

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Individual membership    ____  $30             
Institutional membership ____  $50

Name:     ________________________________________

Address:  ________________________________________
          ________________________________________
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Telephone: (    ) __________________

Cheques are payable to Centre de reference lithique du Quebec at:

                 Centre de reference lithique du Quebec
                      6830 Av. du Parc, bureau 580
                    Montreal, Quebec, CANADA  H3N 1W7