What process involves striking stone with a hard or soft hammer in the context of stone tool production?

The correct answer, which is percussion flaking, refers to the method of shaping stone tools by striking a core with a hammer—either hard or soft. In this process, the impact causes flakes to be removed from the core, allowing the toolmaker to create sharp edges or specific shapes needed for various functional purposes. This technique is fundamental in the production of lithic (stone) tools and showcases an important aspect of prehistoric technology, providing insights into human adaptation and survival strategies.

Pressure flaking, on the other hand, involves applying pressure to remove small flakes from a stone tool after it has been roughly shaped, refining the edges for better functionality. Retouching is a similar but more general term that refers to any technique used to modify the edges of the tool, often incorporating both pressure and percussion methods. Moraines are geological features formed by the accumulation of debris deposited by glaciers, and they are not relevant to stone tool production.