{"schema":"https://ver.cy/schemas/card/1.0.0","id":"vr.tr.flint","code":"thing-q83087","url":"https://ver.cy/models/thing/q83087/","name":"flint","alternateNames":["burnt flint","chocolate flint","Helgoland flint","Striped flint"],"kind":"thing","status":"published","version":"0.1.0-research.1","language":"en","classifiers":{"family":"Thing Registry","category":"Physical world and living systems","entryKind":"thing","plane":"PHY","domain":["PHY.MAT"],"industry":[],"navPath":"","tags":[],"facets":{}},"whatItIs":"A cryptocrystalline variety of quartz (SiO2) that occurs as nodules, bands, or beds in sedimentary rocks, typically chalk or limestone, and is distinguished in practice from related siliceous rocks by colour, fracture, and geological setting.","purpose":"Enable an AI agent to recognise flint, assess its condition and suitability, and decide whether it may be collected, sampled, worked or used.","scope":{"in":["Evidence supporting identification as flint and the naming convention used","Geological occurrence, collection context and specimen provenance","Cortex, interior fabric, inclusions, fractures and surface alteration","Dimensions and usable material for a stated purpose","Suitability and constraints for sampling, knapping and spark production"],"out":["Chert varieties outside the adopted definition of flint","The enclosing chalk, limestone or geological formation as a whole","Stone-tool typology, archaeological interpretation and cultural attribution","Complete ignition systems and manufactured lighter components","Mining operations, land ownership and collection permits as independent entities"],"boundaries":[]},"distinguishingFeatures":["Against other chert: require an explicit naming convention and geological evidence; colour or fracture alone does not establish a uniquely flint identity.","Against obsidian and manufactured glass: examine material fabric, cortex and geological context; a glassy appearance and conchoidal fracture are insufficient by themselves.","Against coarse crystalline quartz: inspect a fresh or existing broken surface for a very fine silica fabric rather than readily visible interlocking crystals.","Against chalk or limestone: assess the interior separately from any pale cortex or adhering host rock, using documented hardness or composition evidence where identification remains uncertain.","Against commercial lighter 'flint': establish whether the object is geological stone or a manufactured spark-producing material; the product name alone is insufficient."],"structure":{"bundles":[{"id":"flint-identification","name":"Flint identification","description":"Establish whether the material should be called flint and what evidence supports that decision.","layers":[{"id":"naming-boundary","name":"Naming boundary","description":"Make the adopted distinction between flint and neighbouring material names explicit.","findings":[{"id":"flint-chert-convention","name":"Flint-chert convention","description":"Record the definition used to apply the name flint without assuming that all naming traditions agree.","questions":[{"text":"What geological or reference convention determines whether this material is called flint rather than chert unspecified?","id":"flint-chert-convention-q01","kind":"definition"},{"text":"Does the available evidence meet that convention, or should the identification remain broader or provisional?","id":"flint-chert-convention-q02","kind":"boundary"}]}]},{"id":"diagnostic-evidence","name":"Diagnostic evidence","description":"Assess the material using observations that discriminate among plausible alternatives.","findings":[{"id":"material-discrimination","name":"Material discrimination","description":"Combine interior fabric, exterior features and context rather than relying on colour, sharpness or a single fracture surface.","questions":[{"text":"What do existing exposed surfaces reveal about fine silica fabric, visible crystals, cortex and fracture form?","id":"material-discrimination-q01","kind":"measurement"},{"text":"Which observations distinguish this piece from other chert, obsidian, manufactured glass or commercial lighter material?","id":"material-discrimination-q02","kind":"boundary"},{"text":"If uncertainty remains, what least-destructive examination could resolve the competing identifications?","id":"material-discrimination-q03","kind":"action"}]}]}]},{"id":"geological-and-collection-context","name":"Geological and collection context","description":"Connect the flint to its occurrence and preserve the distinction between observed context and inferred origin.","layers":[{"id":"occurrence-and-origin","name":"Occurrence and origin","description":"Describe where the material occurred and how securely that occurrence identifies its source.","findings":[{"id":"host-and-redeposition","name":"Host and redeposition","description":"Record primary host relationships separately from secondary deposits and unsupported source assignments.","questions":[{"text":"Was the flint observed within a host rock, loose in a secondary deposit, or obtained without a recorded field context?","id":"host-and-redeposition-q01","kind":"provenance"},{"text":"What evidence links it to a particular formation or source rather than merely to its collection location?","id":"host-and-redeposition-q02","kind":"provenance"}]}]},{"id":"collection-and-cultural-context","name":"Collection and cultural context","description":"Preserve associations and recognise when a geological specimen may also require archaeological interpretation.","findings":[{"id":"context-preservation","name":"Context preservation","description":"Record collection history and potentially worked features without assigning cultural meaning from fracture alone.","questions":[{"text":"What collection records, photographs and associated materials remain linked to this flint?","id":"context-preservation-q01","kind":"provenance"},{"text":"Do its removals, edges or find context warrant assessment under an archaeological artefact model?","id":"context-preservation-q02","kind":"boundary"},{"text":"What contextual evidence must be recorded or preserved before cleaning, sampling or further working?","id":"context-preservation-q03","kind":"action"}]}]}]},{"id":"cortex-interior-and-condition","name":"Cortex, interior and condition","description":"Assess the material available beneath the exterior and the defects or alterations that constrain its use.","layers":[{"id":"cortex-and-usable-interior","name":"Cortex and usable interior","description":"Separate exterior coverings from the interior and bound the amount of suitable material actually observed.","findings":[{"id":"usable-material-envelope","name":"Usable material envelope","description":"Relate dimensions, cortex and internal variability to the volume needed for a proposed operation.","questions":[{"text":"What are the piece's dimensions, cortex coverage and observed cortex thickness, and which interior regions remain unexposed?","id":"usable-material-envelope-q01","kind":"measurement"},{"text":"Where do inclusions, cavities, banding or changes in texture interrupt the interior material needed for the intended task?","id":"usable-material-envelope-q02","kind":"measurement"}]}]},{"id":"fracture-and-alteration","name":"Fracture and alteration","description":"Distinguish observed damage and surface changes from uncertain explanations of their origin.","findings":[{"id":"condition-and-treatment-evidence","name":"Condition and treatment evidence","description":"Record cracks, weathering and possible thermal effects while retaining uncertainty about hidden damage and treatment history.","questions":[{"text":"What cracks, crushed areas, altered surfaces or other defects are visible, and how far can their extent be established?","id":"condition-and-treatment-evidence-q01","kind":"measurement"},{"text":"Is heating or other treatment documented, inferred from specified evidence, or unknown?","id":"condition-and-treatment-evidence-q02","kind":"provenance"},{"text":"Which proposed operations should be deferred because unresolved damage could cause uncontrolled breakage or loss of evidence?","id":"condition-and-treatment-evidence-q03","kind":"action"}]}]}]},{"id":"working-and-use-decisions","name":"Working and use decisions","description":"Connect flint-specific material evidence to permitted operations and observable success criteria.","layers":[{"id":"fracture-based-working","name":"Fracture-based working","description":"Evaluate whether the piece can support a specified flaking, cutting or sampling objective.","findings":[{"id":"controlled-removal-suitability","name":"Controlled removal suitability","description":"Assess the available material, defects and evidence-preservation constraints before removing any portion.","questions":[{"text":"What target flake, edge or sample is required, and does the observed usable interior provide sufficient dimensions and continuity?","id":"controlled-removal-suitability-q01","kind":"measurement"},{"text":"Is material removal authorised, and what limits preserve diagnostic surfaces, source evidence or possible archaeological features?","id":"controlled-removal-suitability-q02","kind":"action"},{"text":"What working method and controls address sharp fragments, flying chips and any dust generated by the proposed operation?","id":"controlled-removal-suitability-q03","kind":"action"}]}]},{"id":"spark-production","name":"Spark production","description":"Treat ignition-related suitability as a property of the flint, striker and test conditions together.","findings":[{"id":"striker-specific-performance","name":"Striker-specific performance","description":"Record evidence of spark production without confusing geological flint with manufactured lighter consumables or assuming ignition success.","questions":[{"text":"What striker material, flint edge condition and trial method were used, and what spark production was actually observed?","id":"striker-specific-performance-q01","kind":"measurement"},{"text":"Does the intended use require spark production alone or demonstrated ignition in a separately specified ignition system?","id":"striker-specific-performance-q02","kind":"boundary"},{"text":"Can a trial be performed in an authorised setting with appropriate fire controls and acceptable loss of flint material?","id":"striker-specific-performance-q03","kind":"action"}]}]}]},{"id":"evidence-and-external-alignment","name":"Evidence and external alignment","description":"What the world already says about this thing, gathered so the model can be checked against it.","layers":[{"id":"reported-evidence","name":"Reported evidence","description":"Findings from the breadth pass, kept separate from the structural claims.","findings":[{"id":"evidence-kinds","name":"Kinds and varieties","description":"Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these kinds and varieties hold for the sense of flint this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-kinds-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-identifiers","name":"Identifiers and schemes","description":"Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these identifiers and schemes hold for the sense of flint this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-identifiers-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-real-world-use","name":"Real-world use","description":"Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these real-world use hold for the sense of flint this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-real-world-use-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-measurements","name":"Typical measurements","description":"Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these typical measurements hold for the sense of flint this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-measurements-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-failure-modes-and-hazards","name":"Failure modes and hazards","description":"Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these failure modes and hazards hold for the sense of flint this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-failure-modes-and-hazards-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-regional-variation","name":"Regional variation","description":"Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these regional variation hold for the sense of flint this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-regional-variation-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-neighbours","name":"Neighbouring kinds and how to tell them apart","description":"Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these neighbouring kinds and how to tell them apart hold for the sense of flint this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-neighbours-q01","kind":"provenance"}]}]}]}]},"agentConduct":{"may":["Identify flint and describe its geology and archaeological uses, citing sources.","Report flint finds to the relevant heritage scheme when they may be artefacts."],"mustNot":["Remove worked flints or artefacts from protected sites or without permission.","Misrepresent natural flint as an ancient tool or the reverse when selling it.","Knap flint without eye protection near others or leave sharp waste where people walk."],"requiresHuman":["Disturbing an archaeological site or excavating flint artefacts."]},"ethics":{"considerations":["Worked flint holds evidence of the deep human past; removing it loses context for everyone.","Fine silica dust from cutting can harm workers' lungs."],"affectedParties":["Archaeologists","Landowners","Knappers and quarry workers"]},"owners":{"steward":"The landowner; heritage authorities for protected sites and finds.","roles":[],"masterSystems":["Historic environment and finds records"]},"relations":[{"target":"Q1070438","type":"parent","note":"registry parent class"}],"interaction":{"identity":{"applicability":"required","items":["Vercy registry: vr.tr.flint","Wikidata: Q83087 (https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q83087)"]},"properties":{"applicability":"required","items":["Identification and naming basis: confirmed flint under stated convention | probable flint | chert unspecified | alternative material | unresolved","Geological source context: Links to locality, host formation and primary or redeposited occurrence, with evidence and uncertainty","Physical form: nodule | tabular piece | cobble | angular fragment | flake | mixed lot | other","Dimensions and mass: Principal dimensions in mm; mass in g; measurement basis for lots","Cortex coverage and thickness: Surface coverage in %; observed thickness range in mm; unknown where unexposed","Interior fabric: Observed texture, translucency, banding, inclusions and cavities, with inspection method","Fracture condition: Observed cracks, fissures, crushed zones and detached surfaces; uninspected interior explicitly marked","Surface alteration: Observed patina, staining, abrasion or weathering; cause and age unresolved unless supported","Thermal history: documented treatment | suspected heating | no heating evidence observed | unknown","Task-specific suitability: Intended task linked to acceptance criteria, observations, trials and limitations"]},"recognition":{"applicability":"required","items":["Hard, dark grey to black glassy stone, often with a white chalky rind.","Breaks with smooth curved shell-like fracture surfaces and sharp edges."]},"capabilities":{"applicability":"required","items":["Identify provisionally and select further observations needed to distinguish flint from alternatives.","Compare specimens or lots for a stated use using fabric, defects and usable dimensions.","Choose a permitted sampling location that preserves diagnostic cortex and geological context.","Plan controlled knapping or cutting where condition, authority and working controls permit.","Evaluate spark production with a specified striker and controlled test conditions.","Preserve contextual evidence and refer potentially archaeological pieces for specialist assessment."]},"hazards":{"applicability":"required","items":["Fresh fractures and detached flakes can cause deep cuts and eye injuries.","Airborne crystalline silica generated during working can cause serious lung disease.","Removing flint from unstable exposures can cause falling debris and damage geological or archaeological evidence."]},"interfaces":{"applicability":"required","items":["The Occupational Safety and Health Administration's respirable crystalline silica standard, 29 CFR 1910.1053, applies to covered general industry work that generates airborne crystalline silica from flint."]},"context":{"applicability":"required","items":["Flint occurs in chalk and limestone formations and in sediments derived from their erosion.","It is examined in geology and archaeology and used for stone tools, decorative stonework and some construction materials.","Collection and working decisions depend on geological context, archaeological significance, ownership and material condition."]}},"sources":[{"title":"Flint","url":"","note":"UK geological occurrence, chalk association, and public description of flint as a silica mineral."},{"title":"Flint","url":"https://www.mindat.org/min-6947.html","note":"Mineral identity as a variety of quartz and distinction from chert in collector/mineralogical use."},{"title":"Wikidata item Q83087: flint","url":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q83087","note":"identity and sense of the item"},{"title":"Wikipedia: Flint","url":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flint","note":"general description of the item"}],"openQuestions":["Which geological naming convention should the registry adopt for the boundary between flint and other chert?","What minimum evidence should support a confirmed flint identification when the source context is unknown?","Which examination methods can distinguish natural variability, weathering and thermal alteration with useful confidence?","What task-specific criteria should define suitability for knapping, sampling and traditional flint-and-steel use?","How should a flint specimen link to an archaeological artefact model when human modification is suspected but unresolved?"],"resources":{"spec":"/models/things/publications/thing-q83087/spec.json"},"provenance":{"origin":"thing registry research (pass 2)","builtFrom":["models/things/publications/thing-q83087/spec.json"],"providers":["Codex","Grok"],"researchStatus":"unreviewed","generatedAt":"2026-09-07T10:16:33Z","builder":"tools/build_cards.py@1.0.0"},"completeness":{"sections":{"classifiers":"filled","whatItIs":"filled","purpose":"filled","distinguishingFeatures":"filled","structure":"filled","agentConduct":"filled","ethics":"filled","owners":"filled","relations":"filled","interaction.identity":"filled","interaction.properties":"filled","interaction.recognition":"filled","interaction.capabilities":"filled","interaction.hazards":"filled","interaction.interfaces":"filled","interaction.context":"filled","sources":"filled"},"notes":{"_gate":"Published through the thing publication gate 1.0 on 2026-10-07T10:10:33+00:00: completeness 1.00; sense: Wikidata description; 2 live sources; review by codex: pass"},"score":1.0}}