I was very grateful to receive a CIfA bursary to attend this year’s Unravelling the Palaeolithic symposium at the University of York. As a trainee lithics specialist and field archaeologist in the commercial sector, I thought it would be a good opportunity to network and learn more about prehistory from both the UK and other international sites in India, France and the Middle East.
The conference involved two days of talks, all of which were led by early careers researchers. It was fascinating to listen to such a variety of talks. They focused on not only stone tools and fieldwork but organic materials and theoretical frameworks. My personal highlights were Professor Kate Britton’s keynote lecture at the Yorkshire Museum which was followed by a behind-the-scenes tour of their new Star Carr exhibition. It was amazing and so worth a visit.
It was also a great opportunity for my volunteer work as I volunteer as Publicity Officer for the Lithic Studies Society. Our upcoming conference is the 11 and 12 October at the National Civil War Centre in Newark, so this was the perfect event to promote it and hopefully strengthen the Society’s connections.
I am thankful to CIfA for their support and my employer, the Colchester Archaeological Trust, and director Adam Wightman for their encouragement in attending. I look forward to attending this inspiring conference next year at UCL in London.
