Lithic core

[1][2] In this sense, a core is the scarred nucleus resulting from the detachment of one or more flakes from a lump of source material or tool stone, usually by using a hard hammer precursor such as a hammerstone.

The surface area of the core which received the blows necessary for detaching the flakes is referred to as the striking platform.

Cylindrical lithic cores are made in a similar fashion, but there is a platform on both ends of the tool stone, with flakes going up and down the side of the cylinder from either direction.

Biconical cores have several platforms around the edge of the stone, with flakes taken alternately from either side, resulting in what looks like a pair of cones stuck together at the bases.

Bifacial cores have been recognized as a technology allowing for efficient material usage (specifically in the creation of edge scrapers) and for their suitability for highly mobile hunter gatherer groups in need of tools made of high quality lithic materials.

Lithic core for Lithic reduction - Upper Paleolithic (Gravitation) (–29,000 ; –22,000) - Brassempouy , Lands department, France - Museum of Toulouse
A flint lithic core for blades , found near the cave of La Viña ( Asturias , Spain)
Lithic core (Mousterian) from Makhtesh Gadol, southern Israel.
Line drawing of a cylindrical blade core. Image shows six view angles. Drawn from a specimen in the Burke Museum archaeological collection.
Upper paleolithic cylindrical blade core, France. Courtesy of the Burke Museum .