Striking Platform

In lithic reduction, the striking platform is the surface on the proximal portion of a lithic flake on which the detachment blow fell; 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.

Famous quotes containing the words striking and/or platform:

    No place affords a more striking conviction of the vanity of human hopes than a public library.
    Samuel Johnson (1709–1784)

    ... a Christian has neither more nor less rights in our association than an atheist. When our platform becomes too narrow for people of all creeds and of no creeds, I myself cannot stand upon it.
    Susan B. Anthony (1820–1906)