Lithic Studies Society

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The Lithic Studies Society (LSS) is an international society founded in 1979 to advance "knowledge of, and education and research in, lithic studies." [1] The Society's members and contributors have diverse interests, spanning the Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic and Prehistory in general, up to historic periods across the world. The Society provides a convivial forum for the exchange of ideas and information and produces. It regularly holds lectures, day meetings, conferences and field trips, publishes an annual peer-reviewed journal (Lithics) and occasional thematic volumes. Additionally the society promotes the highest standards of lithics research and reporting, and advocates and contributes to policies relevant to lithic studies.

Contents

The cover of first journal of the Lithic Studies Society from 1980 featuring a Class 2 long-tanged British dagger Lithic Studies Society first journal cover.jpg
The cover of first journal of the Lithic Studies Society from 1980 featuring a Class 2 long-tanged British dagger

Lithics

Chairs

The seniormost office of the society- Chair has been occupied by many noteworthy prehistorians in the nearly 50 year long history of the LSS.

Chairs of the Lithic Studies Society [2] .
ChairpersonYears
Mike Pitts 1979-1983
Alan Saville 1983-1990
John Wymer 1990-1994
Frances Healy 1994-1999
Nick Ashton1999-2004
Francis Wenban-Smith2004-2008
Hugo Anderson-Whymark2008-2012
Laura Basell2012-2014
Olaf Bayer2014-2016
Claire Harris2016-2018
Rob Davis2018-2022
Josephine Mills2022-2024
Ann Bojko2024-

Occasional Papers

Example of an Occasional Paper: No Stone Unturned. Papers in Honour of Roger Jacobi. Lithic Studies Society Occasional Papers 9 No Stone Unturned. Papers in Honour of Roger Jacobi..jpg
Example of an Occasional Paper: No Stone Unturned. Papers in Honour of Roger Jacobi. Lithic Studies Society Occasional Papers 9

The society has to date published nine Occasional Papers [2] .

Bursaries and Grants

The Society offers three bursaries and one grant. Applications for the awards are open to students, academics and others engaged in lithics professionally or as a hobby. The bursaries and grant may be used towards excavation expenses, fieldwork, study of collections, and participation in a conference or travel, but a case may be made for other uses. Each award has various conditions and limits but can all be used to support activities in the UK or abroad.

The John Wymer Bursary

To commemorate John Wymer and his contribution to archaeology, the Society created the John Wymer Bursary, also referred to as the Wymer Bursary in 2007. It is awarded annually to support any individual to further an interest in lithic-related study. The value of the bursary is presently £250. [3]

The Roger Jacobi Bursary

To commemorate prehistorian and founding member of the society, Roger Jacobi the Society created The Roger Jacobi Bursary or simply The Jacobi Bursary. It is directly funded by sales of the volume of papers published in his name since 2015. The bursary's value is £250. [4]

The Alan Saville Grant

The Alan Saville Grant, created to commemorate the prehistorian and founding member of the society, Alan Saville has been awarded since 2019. Also known as The Saville Grant, its goal is to encourage engagement with a wider audience by supporting lithics research undertaken by individuals or groups. Its current value is £500. [5]

The Student Conference Fund

The Student Conference Fund is dedicated to students to aid in covering conference costs including travel, accommodation and participation. The value of the fund is set to be £200 and will be made available after 2026. [6]

References

  1. "Constitution- Lithic Studies Society". www.lithics.org.
  2. 1 2 Saville, Alan (2010). "The origins and first 30 years of the Lithic Studies Society". The Journal of The Lithic Studies Society (31): 78–87. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  3. The Lithic Studies Society. "The John Wymer Bursary". The Lithic Studies Society. The Lithic Studies Society. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  4. The Lithic Studies Society. "The Roger Jacobi Bursary". The Lithic Studies Society. The Lithic Studies Society. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  5. The Lithic Studies Society. "The Alan Saville Bursary". The Lithic Studies Society. The Lithic Studies Society. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  6. The Lithic Studies Society. "The Student Conference Fund". The Lithic Studies Society. The Lithic Studies Society. Retrieved 6 January 2026.