| DESCRIPTION
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Small nodules of basaltic volcanic glass (tachylyte) are reported from about 10 km west of the Columbia River in the Stray Gulch area, Kittitas County, Washington. Tachylyte is formed by the rapid chilling of the margins of basaltic flows or intrusions and typically contains a large crytalline component. The Stray Gulch tachylyte is black and gray-black and extremely opaque with a vitreous surface luster and slightly irregular fracture. At this point, we know very little about the compositional variability or geographic distribution of the material and the correlation of characterized artifacts with specific source localities is best avoided. Although this material is suitable for the manufacture of artifacts, very little is known of its prehistoric use.
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