QUICK FACTS
Created Jan 0001
Status Verified Sarcastic
Type Existential Dread
Keywords
peer-reviewed, academic journal, archaeology, university of chicago press, iso 4, bluebook

American Journal Of Archaeology

“For those compelled to delve into the dusty annals of human endeavor, the American Journal of Archaeology (AJA) stands as a monument of sorts. Not a...”

Contents
  • 1. Overview
  • 2. Etymology
  • 3. Cultural Impact

For those compelled to delve into the dusty annals of human endeavor, the American Journal of Archaeology (AJA) stands as a monument of sorts. Not a particularly exciting monument, mind you, but a monument nonetheless. It is, predictably, a quarterly peer-reviewed academic journal , serving as the official mouthpiece for the Archaeological Institute of America . One can almost hear the collective sigh of relief from scholars when their submissions finally make it past the gatekeepers.

Journal Overview

The AJA, in its current iteration, is a testament to the relentless human urge to categorize and present findings. It is a publication dedicated to the rigorous presentation of scholarship within the archaeology discipline. The language of choice, perhaps unsurprisingly, is English – a practical concession to global academia. The journal is currently shepherded by Jane B. Carter, who presumably navigates the labyrinthine submissions with a steely resolve.

Its publication details trace back to a rather grand origin, establishing itself in 1897. This wasn’t merely a fresh start, but a continuation of a lineage, having superseded the American Journal of Archaeology and of the History of the Fine Arts , which itself began its arduous journey in 1885. The publisher, the venerable University of Chicago Press , handles its dissemination on behalf of the Archaeological Institute of America in the United States. Its frequency is, as mentioned, quarterly – a pace that allows for both thorough review and the inevitable accumulation of unread articles on a scholar’s desk.

For those who appreciate the bureaucratic elegance of standardized identification, the AJA adheres to several conventions. Its standard abbreviations include ISO 4 (Am. J. Archaeol.), Bluebook , and NLM, among others. Its indexing is robust, featuring across platforms such as CODEN (AJARAE), JSTOR, LCCN, MIAR, NLM, Scopus, and W&L. The ISSN for its print edition is 0002-9114, while its web counterpart is identified by 1939-828X. For the truly dedicated, a journal homepage link is provided, offering direct access to this repository of ancient wisdom.

History and Scope of Inquiry

The American Journal of Archaeology (AJA) is not just another publication; it’s a quarterly peer-reviewed academic journal and the official publication of the Archaeological Institute of America . It first saw the light of day in 1897, but its roots stretch back further, continuing the legacy of the American Journal of Archaeology and of the History of the Fine Arts , which was founded by the institute in 1885. This lineage suggests a persistent, almost stubborn, commitment to cataloging the remnants of bygone eras.

The journal primarily features articles that excavate the art and archaeology of Europe and the Mediterranean world. This expansive geographical focus encompasses the sun-baked lands of the Ancient Near East and the monumental wonders of Ancient Egypt , stretching chronologically from the hazy mists of Prehistory through to the twilight years of Late Antiquity . It’s a rather broad sweep, covering millennia of human activity, or lack thereof. Beyond the primary research articles, it also grudgingly publishes book reviews , critiques of museum exhibition s (because someone has to tell you if the curation is truly dreadful), and the occasional necrology – a polite academic nod to the inevitable passing of even the most diligent scholars. It is disseminated with predictable quarterly regularity, appearing in January, April, July, and October, catering to both the antiquated charm of print and the ephemeral convenience of electronic editions.

This venerable institution of dusty scholarship was co-founded in 1885 by two Princeton University professors, Arthur Frothingham and Allan Marquand . Frothingham, with the unenviable task of shaping its early direction, became its first editor-in-chief, serving a respectable, if not exactly thrilling, tenure until 1896.

A particularly notable period for the journal occurred from 1940 to 1950. During this decade, the AJA became an unlikely but crucial stage for one of archaeology ’s most captivating intellectual dramas: the decipherment of the ancient Linear B script. It hosted articles by the likes of Michael Ventris , Alice Kober , and Emmett Bennett , whose meticulous and painstaking work collectively contributed to finally cracking this long-held linguistic puzzle. This wasn’t merely an academic exercise; the decipherment of Linear B unlocked direct insights into the administration and daily life of Mycenaean Greece , fundamentally reshaping our understanding of one of the earliest literate cultures in Europe. The sheer persistence required to translate those cryptic tablets, published within these very pages, is a testament to human stubbornness, if nothing else.

Publication and Editorship

The journal continues its operations under the aegis of the University of Chicago Press , which publishes it on behalf of the Archaeological Institute of America . Its current editorial helm is occupied by Jane B. Carter, who now bears the responsibility of maintaining its scholarly standards.

It is worth noting, for those who appreciate such details, that the journal’s first woman editor-in-chief was Mary Hamilton Swindler . Her appointment marked a significant, if belated, step towards greater inclusivity in the often-male-dominated field of academic publishing and classical archaeology . Swindler’s tenure, occurring in a period when such roles were rarely held by women, underscores the quiet but persistent march of progress, even in institutions that often seem to prefer the past to the present.

Notes

  • ^ a b Finnegan, Gregory A.; Ogburn, Joyce L.; Smith, J. Christina (8 May 2002). “Journals of the Century in Anthropology and Archaeology”. In Tony Stankus (ed.). Journals of the century. Binghamton, NY.: The Haworth Information Press. pp. 146–. ISBN 0-7890-1133-6. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
  • ^ a b c Stephen L. Dyson (1998). Ancient marbles to American shores: classical archaeology in the United States. University of Pennsylvania Press. pp. 47–49, 97, 104. ISBN 0-8122-3446-4. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
  • ^ “American Journal of Archaeology:Subscribe”. 15 February 2011. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
  • ^ “The Society for the American Journal of Archaeology”. 16 February 2011. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
  • ^ Robinson, Andrew The Man Who Deciphered Linear B: the story of Michael Ventris (2002) pp161-2 ISBN 0500510776
  • ^ “New Editor-in-Chief of the American Journal of Archaeology (AJA)” December 2, 2015, Archived at the Wayback Machine
  • ^ Sicherman, Barbara, and Carol Hurd Green, eds. Notable American Women: The Modern Period. Cambridge, MA: Belknap Press of Harvard University, 1980.
  • AJA Archive since 1885
  • AJA on JSTOR

This article, like many things, is merely a stub concerning a journal focused on archaeology . One could, if so inclined, help Wikipedia by expanding it. If you’re truly desperate for guidance, you might See tips for writing articles about academic journals , or perhaps rummage through the article’s talk page for further suggestions. Don’t expect miracles, though.