February 2019

The 9th International Conference on
the PPN Chipped and Ground Stone Industries of the Near East
Tokyo, November 12–16, 2019

SECOND CIRCULAR

We are pleased to distribute the PPN9 Second Circular to all researchers interested in Neolithic
chipped and ground stone industries of the Near East. Continuing in the spirit of the workshop
series launched in 1993, the goal of PPN9 is to contribute to research on the Neolithic of theNear East from the perspective of lithic studies. This workshop has continued to develop overthe past eight sessions, and we also hope to make a further development in Tokyo.
Since distributing the First Circular in September 2018, we have received positive responses
and suggestions from many of you. Please continue to note the circular for information on
recent developments.
REGISTRATION
A total of 95 people from 14 countries pre-registered by the end of January 2019. Please notethat all these registrations are currently pre-registrations only. Your registration will be complete
once your conference fee has been paid (the conference fee is to be paid after the beginning ofMay).
Although the pre-registration period is over, please contact a member of the organizingcommittee directly if you would like to be added.
PRESENTATIONS
Sessions
We are no longer accepting proposals. Given the proposals and topics of the presentations fromeach author, it seems appropriate to hold sessions based on regional categories (such as theLevant, Arabia, Caucasus, Zagros, and further to the east) and others covering pan-regional
discussions and theories. This will ultimately be edited after the submitted abstracts areexamined.
Oral and poster presentations
After scrutiny of the proposals that were received, 80 have been selected for presentation. Dueto the large number of proposals, if you wish to make multiple presentations, please limit
yourself to one oral presentation and submit posters for any other presentations.
Abstract submission
If you have been selected to give a presentation, please submit an abstract as described below.
Please note that your presentation may be canceled if you do not submit an abstract prior to thedeadline.
Word limit: no more than 500 words
Deadline: April 30, 2019
Submit to: PPN9-Tokyo@gmail.com

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ACADEMIC EVENTS
Hands-On
We plan to exhibit several Near Eastern Neolithic materials excavated by Japanese teams.
Please contact us if you would like to exhibit your materials. Any of your contributions will bemost welcome.
Lithic Knapping
Please contact us if you would like to hold a demonstration of lithic knapping. We are currently
planning a demonstration of pressure blade production (including lever-pressure) using
obsidian.
Excursion
This is currently being arranged, as a large number of you have expressed interest. We will
provide more information on the next circular.
LOGISTICS
Venue
The conference will be held at the University of Tokyo, Hongo Campus (Hongo, Bunkyo,Tokyo 113-0033).
Accommodation
We are currently negotiating with sponsors to arrange reduced rates for accommodations athotels near the venue and hostels slightly removed from the venue. Although we will not be able
to provide exact room rates until the beginning of April due to the Japanese fiscal year system,
we expect costs to be lower than the European standard. We will ask you a type ofaccommodation you want at the Third Circular.
Registration fee
Again due to the fiscal year system, information in the registration fee will be provided in theThird Circular. Note, however, that excursion fees will be separate.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact a member of the organizing committee or a
PPN9 address (PPN9-Tokyo@gmail.com).
We are looking forward to seeing you all in Tokyo.

Faithfully yours,
Yoshihiro Nishiaki
Makoto Arimura
Sumio Fujii
Osamu Maeda
The Organizing Committee
Masashi Abe (Tokyo National Institute of Cultural Properties), Chie Akashi (The University of2Tokyo), Makoto Arimura (Tokai University), Sumio Fujii (Kanazawa University), Seiji
Kadowaki (Nagoya University), Osamu Maeda (University of Tsukuba), Yoshihiro Nishiaki(The University of Tokyo), Takahiro Odaka (The University of Tokyo)

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