African Archaeological Review

Scope & Guideline

Celebrating the Complexity of African Heritage

Introduction

Welcome to the African Archaeological Review information hub, where our guidelines provide a wealth of knowledge about the journal’s focus and academic contributions. This page includes an extensive look at the aims and scope of African Archaeological Review, highlighting trending and emerging areas of study. We also examine declining topics to offer insight into academic interest shifts. Our curated list of highly cited topics and recent publications is part of our effort to guide scholars, using these guidelines to stay ahead in their research endeavors.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN0263-0338
PublisherSPRINGER
Support Open AccessNo
CountrySwitzerland
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 1983 to 1994, from 1996 to 2024
AbbreviationAFR ARCHAEOL REV / Afr. Archaeol. Rev.
Frequency2 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
AddressONE NEW YORK PLAZA, SUITE 4600 , NEW YORK, NY 10004, UNITED STATES

Aims and Scopes

The African Archaeological Review focuses on the diverse archaeological heritage of Africa, emphasizing the continent's historical narratives and cultural transformations through various lenses. The journal encompasses a broad range of topics, methodologies, and approaches to enrich our understanding of Africa's past.
  1. Cultural Heritage Studies:
    Exploration of Africa's rich cultural heritage, addressing the significance of archaeological findings in understanding contemporary identities and historical narratives.
  2. Technological Advances in Archaeology:
    Utilization of new methodologies, such as geochemical analyses and digital humanities, to enhance archaeological research and interpretation.
  3. Interdisciplinary Approaches:
    Integration of various disciplines, including anthropology, history, and environmental studies, to provide a comprehensive understanding of archaeological contexts.
  4. Regional Archaeological Insights:
    Focused studies on specific regions within Africa, examining localized cultural practices, trade networks, and social dynamics.
  5. Historical Contextualization:
    Analysis of archaeological findings within broader historical frameworks, highlighting interactions between different cultures and societies over time.
The journal has recently embraced several emerging themes that reflect current global issues and scholarly interests in African archaeology. These trends indicate a dynamic evolution of the field, responding to contemporary challenges and interdisciplinary opportunities.
  1. Climate Change and Resilience:
    Increasing attention is being paid to how past societies adapted to climate change, offering insights into resilience and sustainable practices that can inform modern strategies.
  2. Digital Archaeology and Visualization Technologies:
    The use of advanced technologies, such as GIS and virtual reality, is on the rise, enabling more interactive and accessible archaeological research.
  3. Memory and Identity in Archaeology:
    Exploration of how archaeological findings contribute to contemporary understandings of identity and memory, particularly in post-colonial contexts.
  4. Social Archaeology:
    A growing emphasis on social dynamics, including gender roles and community interactions, reflects a shift towards understanding the lived experiences of past societies.
  5. Interconnectedness and Global Networks:
    Research increasingly highlights the interconnectedness of African societies with global trade networks, emphasizing the importance of transnational interactions.

Declining or Waning

While the journal has seen an expansion in various themes, certain areas of research have become less prominent in recent publications. This decline may reflect shifting scholarly interests or a saturation of existing topics.
  1. Traditional Stone Age Studies:
    There appears to be a waning focus on the purely technological aspects of the Stone Age, with fewer publications centered on lithic tool analysis and typology.
  2. Eurocentric Narratives:
    Research that emphasizes Eurocentric perspectives on African archaeology has decreased, indicating a shift towards more localized and African-centered narratives.
  3. Monocultural Studies:
    Examinations of isolated cultures without considering broader contexts or interactions have become less frequent, as scholars increasingly adopt holistic approaches.
  4. Simplistic Trade Models:
    The previous focus on straightforward trade models without considering complex socio-economic networks has diminished, paving the way for more nuanced analyses.

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