Lithic Studies Society - 40th Anniversary Conference

FRI 25TH - SAT 26TH OCTOBER 2019

Life At The Cutting Edge:

Celebrating 40 years of

the Lithic Studies Society

In celebration of our 40th anniversary, the Lithic Studies Society held a two-day conference to reflect on the trajectory of lithic studies over the past four decades and to consider potential future directions and new developments moving forward.

About The Conference

25th - 26th October 2019

National Civil War Centre, Newark

For 40 years, the Lithic Studies Society has promoted the advancement of knowledge, education and research in lithic studies. It has drawn together academics, professionals and independent researchers with a shared passion for lithics wherever they occur, and whatever period they date to.

Research supported and published by the Society has touched on many key developments in our understanding of stone tools as evidence of human technology, behaviour, society and evolution. We can look forward to exciting times as new technologies augment traditional methods of analysis, and as the resolution of chronological and environmental frameworks is improved.

The 40th Anniversary Conference was split into two: Friday's talks addressed the trajectory of lithic studies over the past four decades and considered potential future directions and developments. Saturday focused on the significant contribution to Palaeolithic archaeology made by long-term Lithic Studies Society member, Terry Hardaker, over his three decades of research in Britain, sub-Saharan Africa and Arabia.

Conference Programme

The event is organised into two standalone days of talks on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th October. We hope you can join us for the full conference over both days, but you can also book tickets for a single one.

Download Full Programme

Day Themes

Friday 25th October

The first day of talks will be structured around a series of Keynote speakers (soon to be announced!) who will address key areas and time periods in the study of stone tools over the history of the Lithic Studies Society.

As well as the programme of talks, there will be a poster session and a display of Farndon Fields artefacts from the Ice Age Journeys team.

Friday's talks will be followed by a wine reception where delegates will have full access to explore the museum and galleries of the National Civil War Centre.

Saturday 26th October

The second day will focus on themes relating to the work of Terry Hardaker, a long-term member who has made a significant contribution to the Society and Palaeolithic archaeology over the past three decades.

The morning’s talks will reflect his work in the UK, particularly focusing on the archaeology and environments of the Thames and Bytham rivers, with the afternoon moving south to the arid environments of sub-Saharan Africa and Arabia.

Read Terry's full bio