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Studies of the geology of the Faiyum have provided an insight into where raw materials for tool manufacture could be sourced. In his study of variations in Qarunian and Faiyum Neolithic debitage from sites FS1 and FS2, Anthony Cagle has looked at different types of manufacturing technique and different types of raw material. He identified possible locations for these materials from published papers, and conducted a short visual survey on the materials available from those sites. The locations he identified are as follows (Cagle 1994):
Period Location Form Material Comment References Upper-Eocene / Lower Oligocene Directly above Qasr el Sagha, near top of scarp Fluvio- Marine series (Gebel Qatrani beds) Hard cherty limestone with beds of tabular chert and flint Many authors mention its use in the manufacture of stone tools Thought to be the only area in the Faiyum where chert occurs in primary geological position. Beadnell 1905 Caton- Thompson 1926 Caton- Thompson & Gardner 1934 Wendorf & Schild 1976 Midant-Reynes 1992/2000 Very top of the northern scarp above Qasr el Sagha above Gebel Qatrani beds Variegated sediments continuing the above series Small chert and flint nodules Mentioned by several authors as source materials Above the same scarp near Qasr Qarun (a few Kms from FS1 & FS2 nr Qasr Qarun, nw corner Lake Qarun) Same beds as above Chert and flint nodules No known references Plio-Pleistocene Wide areas of Fayum, several on the Faiyum-Cairo road c.20km north of Karanis Gravels Some contain flint and chert adequate for tool production Not all contain suitable chert or flint Pleistocene Throughout the Fayum and in the area of FS1 and FS2 Gravels (heterogene-ous deposits) Local Stone Some suitable for tool manufacture, and there is some indication that local stones were used
Images of many of the geological features discussed above are shown at the AAPG website at http://www.aapg.org/international/africa/ne_africa_egypt/local_activity/whale_valley/whale_valley_fayoum.htm
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