In 1946 there was a report in Man that the Royal Anthropological Institute had formed a committee 'with a view to examining problems related to early metals'. Here is the report in full:
A committee has been formed by the Early Mining and Metallurgy Group of the Royal Anthropological Institute, with a view to examining problems relating to the early metals. It is felt that a central body should exist which will collate the researches done by scientists in various departments such as pure Metallurgy, Geology, and field archaeology, and also promote co-operation with scholars in other countries. The Committee hopes to arrange for the scientific examination of metal objects with a view to determining their constituents and technique of manufacture. Such examination would be by means of spectroscopic or quantitative analysis, with metallographic reseach where necessary - for example, to establish the method of manufacture of certain very early tools and implements. Already the possibility exists for this to be done on a limited scale.
Field archaeologists are urged to collaborate by supplying specimens of metal, especially copper; or if their work lies in countries where all antiquities are retained, to send samples obtained by drilling.
Other branches of research will also be within the scope of the Committee, which should act as a channel for obtaining literature and information from abroad. One of the major questions for consideration will be the sequence and first use of metal followed by the dawn of true metallurgy; a subject which is as yet far from clear. A major question within this sphere of research is that of native copper, the use of which is widely believed to have preceded smelted material. There is, however, little agreement as to the exact nature of native copper and as to how long such a phase (where it existed) lasted in certain regions.
Most fieldworkers have for some time realized that much more reliable light would be thrown on the development and inter-relation of early cultures if adequate information on mining and metallurgy were not lacking from various important areas; up to date it has been produced from some districts while others remain obscure. It is hardly necessary to point out that when the complete sequence and history of the metallurgy for a key site has been worked out, the information is not only valuable for those interested in the ancient metals, but it also gives very considerable aid in the dating of main or sub-periods.
In conclusion, the Committee hopes to establish liaison and friendly relations with other bodies and societies interested in the subject, and that it will receive the support of those scholars whom it endeavours to serve. The initial membership is a [sic] follows: CE.N. Bromehead, B.A. F.G.S., Prof. V. Gordon Childe,, F.B.A. F.S.A., H.H. Coghlan, F.S.A. (Chairman), The Copper Development Association, Prof. C.H. Desch, F.R.S. A. Digby, Dr Oliver Davies, C.F.C. Hawkes, F.S.A., Dr W. Lamb, F.S.A., H.J.E. Peake, F.S.A., T.K. Penniman, Stuart Piggott, F.S.A., Dr Plenderleith, Dr. J. Raftery. M.R.I.A.
1946. 87. 'Early Mining and Metallurgy Group' Man, Vol. 46, (Jul. - Aug., 1946), p. 99
1948. H.H. Coghlan, V. Gordon Childe and C.N. Bromehead '3. Ancient Mining and Metallurgy Group: Preliminary Report, Part I' Man, Vol. 48, (Jan., 1948), pp. 5-7
1949. 'RAI Ancient Mining and Metallurgy Committee' Nature 163 522 2 April 1949
1949. H.H. Coghlan '50. Ancient Mining and Metallurgy Committee'. Man, Vol. 49, (Apr., 1949), p. 43 [seeking specimens]
1949. T. Burton Brown '178. Ancient Mining and Metallurgy Committee, Second Report: Bronze Age Metal Objects from Azarbaijan, Part I' Man, Vol. 49, (Dec., 1949), pp. 134-137
1950. T. Burton Brown '4. Ancient Mining and Metallurgy Committee, Second Report: Iron Objects from Azarbaijan' Man, Vol. 50, (Jan., 1950), pp. 7-9
1950. A.E.P. Collins and H.H. Beeny '199. Ancient Mining and Metallurgy Committee: Report on Pattern-Welding on a Viking Period Spearhead' Man, Vol. 50, (Sep., 1950), pp. 124-125
1950. '236. Ancient Mining and Metallurgy Committee: Report on Some Egyptian Artifacts' Man, Vol. 50, (Nov., 1950), pp. 147-149
1950. T. Burton Brown and E. Voce. '49. Ancient Mining and Metallurgy Committee, Second Report: Bronze Age Metal Objects from Azarbaijan, Part II' Man, Vol. 50, (Apr., 1950), pp. 41-45
1951. E. Voce '6. Ancient Mining and Metallurgy Committee: Report on the Examination of a Broken Celt from Scotland' Man, Vol. 51, (Jan., 1951), pp. 6-7
1951. E. Voce and V. Gordon Childe '234. Ancient Mining and Metallurgy Committee: Report on Examination of Miscellaneous Copper and Bronze Artifacts.' Man, Vol. 51, (Oct., 1951), pp. 139-141
1951. E. Voce '65. Ancient Mining and Metallurgy Committee: Examination of a Fragment of the Welwyn Bowl in the British Museum' Man, Vol. 51, (Mar., 1951), pp. 37-39
1952. Sylvia Benton, V.G. Childe and H.H. Coghlan '124. Ancient Mining and Metallurgy Committee' Man, Vol. 52, (Jun., 1952), pp. 89-90
1953. H.H. Coghland and Maurice Cook. '150. Studies of British and Irish Celts: First Series. Reports of the Ancient Mining and Metallurgy Committee of the Royal Anthropological Institute' Man, Vol. 53, (Jul., 1953), pp. 97-101
1954. Humphrey Case. '21. Studies of Irish and British Early Copper Artifacts: Second Series: Reports of the Ancient Mining and Metallurgy Committee of the Royal Anthropological Institute' Man, Vol. 54, (Feb., 1954), pp. 18-27
1955. H.H. Coghlan '4. Reports of the Ancient Mining and Metallurgy Committee: Analyses of Three Continental Axes and of Specimens of Irish Ores.' Man, Vol. 55, (Jan., 1955), pp. 6-8
1957. L. Biek '84. The Examination of Some Copper Ores: A Report of the Ancient Mining and Metallurgy Committee' Man, Vol. 57, (May, 1957), pp. 72-76
1960. T.K. Penniman and I.M. Allen. '120. A Metallurgical Study of Four Irish Early Bronze Age Ribbed Halberds in the Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford: A Report to the Ancient Mining and Metallurgy Committee' Man, Vol. 60, (Jun., 1960), pp. 85-89
1961. Eric Voce '81. Scientific Evidence Concerning Metal-Working Techniques: A Report of the Ancient Mining and Metallurgy Committee' Man, Vol. 61, (Apr., 1961), pp. 68-71
1962. H. H. Coghlan, H. Barker, L. Biek, R. F. Tylecote, Maurice Cook, W. T. Elwell and R. J. Butler 'A Report Upon Analytical Methods, Presented by the Ancient Mining and Metallurgy Committee of the Royal Anthropological Institute' The Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland, Vol. 92, No. 1 (Jan. - Jun., 1962), pp. 125-140
1963. Jean R. Marechal '43. Application de la Thermodynamique a L'Explication de la Metallurgie Ancienne: A Report of the Ancient Mining and Metallurgy Committee' Man, Vol. 63, (Mar., 1963), pp. 33-38
NB this may not be a comprehensive list.