Striking platform explained

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 and References

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