The Lithic Studies Society(LSS) was founded in 1979 to advance knowledge of, and education and research in, lithic studies. The Societies member's have diverse interests, spanning Palaeolithic to historic periods across many areas of 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 polocies relevant to lithic studies.
Lithics
editLithics is the Society's annual, peer-reviewed journal. 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, a bibliography of recent publications relevant to lithic studies, and news of the Society's related activities.
Occasional Papers
editThe society has to date published six Occasional Papers:
- 1988 The Illustration of Lithic Artefacts
- 1994 Stories in Stone
- 1995 Lithics in Context
- 1998 Stone Age Archaeology
- 2001 Palaeolithic Archaeology of the Solent River
- 2004 Lithics in Action
Wymer Bursary
editTo commemorate John Wymer and his contribution to archaeology the Society created the John 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 £250.
Applications for the bursary are open to students, academics, others professionally engaged in lithic study, and those simply pursuing an interest in lithics as a hobby. The bursary 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. The bursary can be used to support activities in the UK or abroad.
Committee
editThe societies committee is composed of six officers and ten oridinary committee members. The officers comprise a Chair, a Vice-Chair, a Treasurer, a Secretary, the Editor of Lithics and a Webmaster, who all serve for five years. The Committee members serve for three years before being re-elected.