Journal of African Archaeology

Scope & Guideline

Connecting the Dots of Africa's Historical Narratives

Introduction

Explore the comprehensive scope of Journal of African Archaeology through our detailed guidelines, including its aims and scope. Stay updated with trending and emerging topics, and delve into declining areas to understand shifts in academic interest. Our guidelines also showcase highly cited topics, featuring influential research making a significant impact. Additionally, discover the latest published papers and those with high citation counts, offering a snapshot of current scholarly conversations. Use these guidelines to explore Journal of African Archaeology in depth and align your research initiatives with current academic trends.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN1612-1651
PublisherBRILL
Support Open AccessNo
CountryGermany
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 2003 to 2024
AbbreviationJ AFR ARCHAEOL / J. Afr. Archaeol.
Frequency2 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
AddressPLANTIJNSTRAAT 2, P O BOX 9000, 2300 PA LEIDEN, NETHERLANDS

Aims and Scopes

The Journal of African Archaeology aims to advance the understanding of the diverse archaeological heritage of Africa. It emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches and the integration of various methodologies to explore the continent's past, focusing on cultural, social, and economic dynamics.
  1. Interdisciplinary Research:
    The journal encourages research that integrates archaeology with other disciplines such as anthropology, history, and environmental science, providing a holistic view of African cultures.
  2. Cultural Heritage and Identity:
    A core aim is to explore the links between archaeology and contemporary cultural identities, examining how past societies shape present-day communities.
  3. Technological Innovations in Archaeology:
    The journal focuses on the application of modern technologies and methodologies in archaeological research, including isotopic analysis, geophysical surveying, and advanced dating techniques.
  4. Regional Archaeology:
    Significant emphasis is placed on regional studies across Africa, highlighting the unique archaeological narratives of different areas, such as North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the islands.
  5. Socio-Economic Dynamics:
    Research often addresses the socio-economic aspects of ancient societies, including trade, resource management, and the impacts of climate change on cultural development.
The Journal of African Archaeology reflects evolving research interests, with certain themes gaining traction in recent years.
  1. Population Dynamics and Mobility:
    Recent publications emphasize the investigation of population movements and dynamics through innovative methodologies like isotopic analysis, shedding light on migration patterns in ancient communities.
  2. Textile Production and Use:
    There is a growing interest in textiles as cultural artifacts, exploring their roles in funerary practices and daily life, which highlights the complexity of social identities.
  3. Climate Change and Resilience:
    Research addressing the impacts of climate change on ancient societies is increasingly common, focusing on how communities adapted to environmental shifts.
  4. Interdisciplinary Approaches to Archaeology:
    Emerging themes reflect a strong trend towards interdisciplinary research, combining archaeology with history, anthropology, and environmental sciences to provide comprehensive insights.
  5. Local Community Engagement in Archaeology:
    An increasing number of studies focus on the role of local communities in archaeological research, emphasizing participatory approaches and the importance of cultural heritage in contemporary society.

Declining or Waning

While the Journal of African Archaeology has a broad scope, certain themes appear to be declining in frequency or prominence in recent publications.
  1. Traditional Historical Narratives:
    There seems to be a waning interest in traditional historical narratives that focus solely on elite histories or monumental architecture, as newer research emphasizes everyday life and community practices.
  2. Isolated Archaeological Studies:
    Research that focuses on isolated archaeological sites without broader contextual analysis is becoming less common, with a shift towards studies that integrate findings within wider regional or thematic frameworks.
  3. Colonial Archaeology:
    Topics centered solely on colonial impacts without connecting to indigenous perspectives are less frequently addressed, reflecting a growing emphasis on post-colonial narratives and local agency.
  4. Static Cultural Representations:
    The portrayal of African cultures as static or unchanging is declining, with more studies highlighting dynamic interactions and cultural exchanges over time.
  5. Focus on Material Culture Alone:
    There is a noticeable decrease in studies that focus exclusively on material culture without considering the social and historical contexts, as interdisciplinary approaches gain prominence.

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