How global is archaeological science?

Abstract

As the leading international journal for archaeological science, JAS not only serves as an indicator for the global state of archaeological science, but also carries a particular responsibility for the health of the field. Here, I trace the growth of archaeological science on a global scale both diachronically and geographically, offering what is a strongly positive trend of increasing research output in general, but also a markedly skewed picture of current participation in archaeological science research geographically. While the strength and distribution of archaeological science across Europe continue to increase from an already high base, and China is rapidly increasing its participation, both the UK and the US are falling behind – at least proportionately. This, however, is all par for the course and can be considered a simple re-arrangement among the wealthiest countries. The real story is in the near-absence of authors from precisely those countries whose archaeological heritage supplies much of archaeological science research: the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, Central Asia, South and Southeast Asia. Here, JAS, like all other journals, faces a dark reality that requires concerted efforts to change, by not only increasing access to science-based facilities and instruments, but crucially by increasing active in-country participation in archaeological science research, co-shaping agendas for the future of our discipline.