catlinite
/ˈkatlɪnʌɪt
/noun [mass noun]
A red clay of the Upper Missouri region, the sacred pipestone of the American Indians.Our preliminary work has shown it to be highly accurate in identifying such pipestones as catlinite, Sterling pipestone, and Missouri flint clay....
- Nineteen pieces of red stone identified as possible Barron County pipestone or Minnesota catlinite were found at the Fred Edwards site in Grant County.
- Such sourcing problems are not limited to chert; most midwestern archaeologists are familiar with the problems associated with identifying catlinite and flint clays.
Origin
Mid 19th century: from the name of George Catlin (1796–1872), American artist, + -ite1.