Estimating original flake mass from 3D scans of platform area

► Significantly different relationships are revealed between 3D platform area (acquired using a laser scanner) and flake mass for experimental flakes with different platform types and ventral and dorsal morphologies. ► Multivariate regression of 3D platform surface area and external platform angle improves the accuracy of predictions of original flake mass. ► A revised method for studying reduction intensity on retouched flakes is proposed. This method is dubbed the Initial-/Terminal-Mass Comparison, or ITMC. ► Experiments demonstrate that the capacity of the 3D platform scans to predict flake mass rivals or exceeds the capacity demonstrated for existing reduction measures.