In the archaeological study of lithic reduction, the striking platform is the surface on the proximal portion of a lithic flake on which the detachment blow falls;[1] this may be natural or prepared. Types of striking platforms include:

  • Cortex, which consists of an area of cortex used as a platform during initial reduction;
  • Single-faceted, consisting of a flat platform at right angles to the dorsal surface of the flake and most often associated with conchoidal fractures;
  • Double-faceted, a variety of multifaceted, prepared platform, also characteristically flat and associated with conchoidal fractures;
  • Multifaceted, with three or more facets to the platform;
  • Lipped, a platform type resulting from soft hammer biface reduction; and
  • Crushed, which occurs when the platform was crushed beyond easy recognition by the detachment blow.

Notes

  1. ↑ Kooyman, Brian Patrick. Understanding Stone Tools and Archaeological Sites. University of Calgary Press, 2000, p. 12.
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