jonas puzinas (october 1, 1905 – april 14, 1978) was lithuanian archaeologist and specialist on the prehistory of lithuania. he belonged to the first generation of lithuanian scholars who matured in independent lithuania (1918–40). he was the first scientifically trained archaeologist of lithuania and he laid the foundations, including some of the basic terminology and periodization, for future archaeological studies. his work in lithuania was cut short by world war ii. in 1944, he retreated to germany and then to the united states. there he continued his academic work, notably editing lithuanian encyclopedias.