Editing Termination type

{{short description|Characteristic in lithic reduction}}
In [[lithic reduction]], '''termination type''' is a characteristic indicating the manner in which the distal end of a [[lithic flake]] detaches from a [[lithic core|core]] (Andrefsky 1998:18).  Common types include:

* '''Step/snap termination''' – these occur when a flake snaps or breaks during removal, resulting in an abrupt right-angle break.
* '''Hinge termination''' – results when the applied force rolls away from the core or objective piece, creating a rounded or blunted distal end.
* '''Overshot/outrepasse/plunging termination''' - occurs when the applied force dips and removes a section of the opposite margin of the artifact or the distal end of the core.  Also referred to as a reverse hinge termination.
* '''Perverse termination''' - "twisting" breaks resulting from when the applied force is redirected through the material in a [[Helix|helical]] fashion;
* '''Feather/monotomic termination''' – a smooth termination that results in a feathered distal end.  The distal ends of these flakes are only a few molecules thick, are extremely sharp, and indicate a flawless detachment.  These are the intended results of some lithic reduction techniques, and are very desirable for opportunistic tool use that does not require [[Retouch (lithics)|retouching]] or sharpening.

==References==
* Andrefsky, William, Jr. (1998) ''Lithics: Macroscopic approaches to analysis''.  Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

[[Category:Lithics]]