Journal of Archaeological Science

Journal of Archaeological Science is a leading international peer-reviewed academic journal that publishes original research articles, review papers, and case studies on various aspects of archaeology, including bioarchaeology, geoarchaeology, and archaeobotany, with contributions from renowned scholars such as Mary Leakey, Louis Leakey, and Kathleen Kenyon. The journal is published by Elsevier and is affiliated with the Society for Archaeological Sciences, the Archaeological Institute of America, and the European Association of Archaeologists. It has been a key platform for scholars like Colin Renfrew, Lewis Binford, and Gordon Willey to share their research on prehistoric archaeology, classical archaeology, and historical archaeology.

● Publication History

The Journal of Archaeological Science was first published in 1974 by Academic Press, with David Clarke as its founding editor, and has since become a premier outlet for research in archaeological science, with a strong focus on scientific dating methods, materials analysis, and computational modeling, as demonstrated by the work of Willard Libby, Vincent Megaw, and Clive Orton. Over the years, the journal has undergone several changes in its publication frequency, format, and editorial team, with notable editors including Martin Carver, Stephen Shennan, and Alex Bayliss, who have all contributed to the journal's growth and reputation, alongside institutions like the British Museum, the National Museum of Denmark, and the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies.

● Scope and Focus

The Journal of Archaeological Science has a broad scope, covering various aspects of archaeological research, including human osteology, zooarchaeology, and archaeological conservation, with a focus on interdisciplinary approaches and methodological innovations, as exemplified by the work of Jane Buikstra, George Armelagos, and Clark Larsen. The journal publishes research on a wide range of topics, from Paleolithic archaeology to historical archaeology, and from Old World archaeology to New World archaeology, with contributions from scholars like Vere Gordon Childe, Grahame Clark, and Julian Steward. It also features research on cultural heritage management, archaeological ethics, and public archaeology, with input from organizations like the International Council on Monuments and Sites, the World Heritage Centre, and the National Park Service.

● Editorial Process

The Journal of Archaeological Science has a rigorous editorial process, with a strong emphasis on peer review and editorial quality control, as ensured by the journal's editorial board, which includes prominent scholars like Brian Fagan, Charles Higham, and Margaret Conkey. The journal uses a double-blind peer review system, where manuscripts are reviewed by at least two independent reviewers, often including experts like Richard Klein, Olga Soffer, and Randall McGuire. The editorial team, comprising the editor-in-chief, associate editors, and editorial assistants, works closely with authors to ensure that published articles meet the journal's high standards of quality and academic integrity, with support from institutions like the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, and the University of California, Berkeley.

● Impact and Reception

The Journal of Archaeological Science has a significant impact on the field of archaeology, with a strong reputation for publishing high-quality research that advances our understanding of the past, as recognized by scholars like Ian Hodder, Lynn Meskell, and Bruce Trigger. The journal has been cited by numerous other publications, including Nature, Science, and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and has been praised for its interdisciplinary approach and methodological rigor, with endorsements from organizations like the National Science Foundation, the Wellcome Trust, and the European Research Council. It has also been recognized for its contributions to the development of new archaeological methods and theories, as acknowledged by researchers like Lewis Binford, Colin Renfrew, and Gordon Willey.

● Abstracting and Indexing

The Journal of Archaeological Science is abstracted and indexed in several major databases, including Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, as well as specialized databases like Anthropological Index Online and Archaeological Bibliography, which are maintained by institutions like the Royal Anthropological Institute, the British Academy, and the Deutsches Archäologisches Institut. The journal is also indexed in several citation indices, including the Science Citation Index Expanded and the Social Sciences Citation Index, which are used by researchers like Mary Leakey, Louis Leakey, and Kathleen Kenyon to track the impact of their work.

● Awards and Recognition

The Journal of Archaeological Science has received several awards and recognitions for its contributions to the field of archaeology, including the Society for American Archaeology's Award for Excellence in Archaeological Research, and the European Association of Archaeologists' Award for Outstanding Contributions to Archaeology, which have been presented to scholars like Colin Renfrew, Lewis Binford, and Gordon Willey. The journal has also been recognized for its editorial excellence and design quality, with awards from the Association of American Publishers and the Society for Scholarly Publishing, and has been supported by institutions like the University of London, the University of Chicago, and the Australian National University.

Category:Archaeology journals