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:
“One of the most striking differences between a cat and a lie is that a cat has only nine lives.”
—Mark Twain [Samuel Langhorne Clemens] (1835–1910)
“I marched in with the men afoot; a gallant show they made as they marched up High Street to the depot. Lucy and Mother Webb remained several hours until we left. I saw them watching me as I stood on the platform at the rear of the last car as long as they could see me. Their eyes swam. I kept my emotion under control enough not to melt into tears.”
—Rutherford Birchard Hayes (1822–1893)