About the International Obsidian Conference (IOC)

Scope

• The International Obsidian Conference (IOC) is a premier international forum that brings together archaeologists, geologists, and analytical chemists to showcase and advance obsidian studies. Coordinated by a dedicated 12-member scientific committee, the IOC operates without a fixed secretariat or designated representative, serving as an interdisciplinary nexus for researchers engaged in obsidian exploration.

• Held approximately every three years, typically between May and July, the conference spans two to three days and includes insightful lectures and a one-day field trip to a local obsidian source. A core objective of the IOC is to support the development of early-career researchers by providing opportunities for presentation, collaboration, and international engagement. This structured programme not only makes a significant contribution to the field but also fosters transdisciplinary research on obsidian at a global scale. The IOC serves as a vital catalyst for advancing collaborative research and deepening our understanding of obsidian studies worldwide.

History

• The First: June 1st to 3rd, IOC Lipari 2016, Italy

• The Second: May 27th to 29th, IOC Budapest and Sárospatak 2019, Hungary

• The Third: April 30th to May 2nd, IOC Berkeley 2021, USA

• The Fourth: July 1st to 5th, IOC Engaru 2023, Japan

• The Fifth (upcoming): September 28th to October 1st, IOC Yerevan 2026, Armenia

IOC Scientific Committee (2025)

• Katalin T. Biró — Hungarian National Museum, Budapest, Hungary

• Michael D. Glascock — University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA

• Yaroslav V. Kuzmin — Institute of Geology & Mineralogy, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia

• François-Xavier Le Bourdonnec — University Bordeaux Montaigne, Pessac, France

• András Markó — Hungarian National Museum, Budapest, Hungary

• Robin Torrence — Australian Museum, Sydney, Australia

• Robert Tykot — University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA

• Andrea Vianello — University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA

• Kyle P. Freund — Far Western Anthropological Research Group, INC, CA, USA

• Theodora Moutsiou — University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus

• Yoshimitsu Suda — Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan

• Ellery Frahm — Yale University, New Heaven, CT, USA

Former Members of the IOC Scientific Committee (as of 2025)

• Akira Ono — Professor Emeritus of Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, Japan

• Jaroslav Lexa — Senior Researcher, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia.