International Obsidian Conference
1 to 3 June 2016, Lipari (Italy)

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Lipari is the largest of the Aeolian islands off the northern shore of Italy, with an area of almost 37 square kilometers. Its numerous places of interest include the Luigi Bernabo Brea museum, located in the "Castello", the historical center. The institution was created in the 1950s to accommodate the artifacts unearthed by Bernabo Brea during his excavations. It now consists of 6 pavilions: the Prehistoric Section, the Epigraphical Section, the Section of the Minor Islands, the Classical Section, the Vulcanological Section, and the Section of Paleontology of the Quaternary. In addition, the museum hosts temporary exhibitions and conferences of international level. The Conference will be held in the museum complex.

Also on Lipari are later Greco-Roman sites, a Renaissance citadel, a Baroque cathedral, Romanesque cloisters, an archaeological park, a museum, a geological interpretation center, and exquisite beaches.

There are several distinct obsidian sources on the island, and a tour will be arranged. Most of the obsidian which is accessible today is from eruptions dating to medieval times, covering over most of the obsidian outcrops which formed ca. 8.7-8.4 kya and were extensively used in the Neolithic. Details on the Lipari volcanic complex may be found in:
Forni, F., Lucchi, F., Peccerillo, A., Tranne, C. A., Rossi, P. L., & Frezzotti, M. L. (2013). Stratigraphy and geological evolution of the Lipari volcanic complex (cental Aeolian archipelago). In F. Lucchi, A. Peccerillo, J. Keller, C. A. Tranne & P. L. Rossi (Eds.), The Aeolian Islands Volcanoes (Vol. Memoir No. 37, pp. 213-279). London: Geological Society.

Maps and Photos (click on each)

Italy Map    Aeolian Islands     Lipari

Castello       Castello from Sea

Museum      Lipari obsidian