Archaeological science in Africa: Twenty-one papers for the twenty-first century

Abstract

Understanding of Africa's long, complex human history has been enriched by the work of archaeological scientists for over a century. Since 1977 over 500 papers on African topics have been published in the Journal of Archaeological Science. This paper briefly reviews the geographical location of the research that they report along with their authorship and thematic content. Significant imbalances highlight continuing disparities in archaeological opportunities within the continent and between Africa and the rest of the world. The twenty-one papers included in this special collection nevertheless showcase the breadth of archaeological science in Africa, focusing on papers that have shaped subsequent research, explored new methodological approaches, or introduced novel areas of study. Discussion of how to capitalise upon this diversity emphasises the importance of increasing funding for archaeological science on a sustainable basis, forging co-operation between archaeologists and other scientists, playing to strengths in less expensive (but potentially highly informative) areas of archaeological science, and developing regional hubs of expertise. Collectively, these efforts can enhance capacity and ensure a future for archaeological science research by African scholars within Africa.