The Lithic Studies Society (LSS) is an international society founded in 1979 to advance "knowledge of, and education and research in, lithic studies." 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.
Lithics
Lithics: The Journal of The Lithic Studies Society or simply Lithics is the Society's annual, peer-reviewed journal first published in 1980. It is devoted to publishing research which enhances our understanding of past societies through the study of stone tools. Published in the spring of each year, Lithics contains research articles, as well as shorter communications, book reviews, bibliography of recent publications relevant to lithic studies, and news of the Society's related activities. Prior to 2004 the publication was known as The Newsletter of the Lithic Studies Society.
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. Chairperson Years Mike Pitts 1979-1983 Alan Saville 1983-1990 John Wymer 1990-1994 Frances Healy 1994-1999 Nick Ashton 1999-2004 Francis Wenban-Smith 2004-2008 Hugo Anderson-Whymark 2008-2012 Laura Basell 2012-2014 Olaf Bayer 2014-2016 Claire Harris 2016-2018 Rob Davis 2018-2022 Josephine Mills 2022-2024Ann Bojko 2024-
Occasional Papers
The society has to date published nine Occasional Papers. Occasional Paper 1: 1980 Late Upper Palaeolithic/ Mesolithic Type List (Part 1) Occasional Paper 2: 1984 Late Upper Palaeolithic/ Mesolithic Type List (Part 2) Occasional Paper 3: 1988 The Illustration of Lithic Artefacts Occasional Paper 4: 1994 Stories in Stone Occasional Paper 5: 1995 Lithics in Context Occasional Paper 6: 1998 Stone Age Archaeology. Essays in Honour of John Wymer Occasional Paper 7: 2001 Palaeolithic Archaeology of the Solent River Occasional Paper 8: 2004 Lithics in Action Occasional Paper 9: 2010 No Stone Unturned. Papers in Honour of Roger Jacobi
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.
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.
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.
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.
References
External links Lithic Studies Society John Wymer obituary