This collection of essays look at the availability and use of lithic raw materials across the Near East. The essays each cover a particular region, with an introductory article which sets out the key issues in the study of chert exploitation in the Near East, and reviews the hitherto available research.This collection of essays look at the availability and use of lithic raw materials across the Near East. The essays each cover a particular region, with an introductory article which sets out the key issues in the study of chert exploitation in the Near East, and reviews the hitherto available research.