Journal profile · Multiple
Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory
ISSN 1072-5369 · eISSN 1573-7764 · Springer Nature · 4 issues per year
Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory: CAS Zone 1 · History (2025 upgraded edition, Top journal); impact factor 2.76; hybrid open access; APC about USD 3,190; median 170 days to acceptance (57 articles, last 24 months); 71 articles in 2025; indexed in SSCI, AHCI and Scopus.
Scope
Aims, scope and focus
Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory is published by Springer Nature and is in Zone 1 of History in the CAS Journal Ranking (2025 upgraded edition, Top journal). By OpenAlex counts of its recent articles, its largest topics are Archaeology and ancient environmental studies, Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology and Archaeology and Rock Art Studies, together about 53.3% of its articles. (generated from OpenAlex topic counts and CAS ranking data)
The Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory, the leading journal in its field, presents original articles that address method- or theory-focused issues of current archaeological interest and represent significant explorations on the cutting edge of the discipline. Written by experts, the articles benefit an international audience of archaeologists, students of archaeology, and practitioners of closely related disciplines. Specific topics covered in recent issues include: the use of niche construction theory in archaeology, new developments in the use of soil chemistry in archaeological interpretation, and a model for the prehistoric development of clothing. The Journal's distinguished Editorial Board includes archaeologists with worldwide archaeological knowledge (the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, and Africa), and expertise in a wide range of methodological and theoretical issues. Rated 'A' in the European Reference Index for the Humanities (ERIH)Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory is rated 'A' in the ERIH, a new reference index that aims to help evenly access the scientific quality of Humanities research output. For more information visit: http://www.esf.org/research-areas/humanities/activities/research-infrastructures.html Rated 'A' in the Australian Research Council Humanities and Creative Arts Journal List. For more information, visit: http://www.arc.gov.au/era/journal_list_dev.htm
From the journal's Aims & Scope
Research area (LetPub): Multiple
Editor-in-chief Kostalena MichelakiPublisher website
Editorial board by country: none in mainland China; most named United States 14, United Kingdom 4, France 3, Canada 3, Germany 1 (30 members with a country) Editorial board ↗Publisher website ·
Main research topics OpenAlex counts of recent articles; shares are approximate
- Archaeology and ancient environmental studiesEarth and Planetary Sciences28.1%
- Pleistocene-Era Hominins and ArchaeologySocial Sciences16.7%
- Archaeology and Rock Art StudiesSocial Sciences8.5%
- Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology StudiesArts and Humanities5%
- Historical and Cultural Archaeology StudiesSocial Sciences4.8%
- Pacific and Southeast Asian StudiesSocial Sciences3.4%
- Archaeological Research and ProtectionEarth and Planetary Sciences3.3%
- Image Processing and 3D ReconstructionComputer Science3.1%
Rankings & indexing
CAS ranking and database indexing
CAS Journal Ranking
CAS Journal Ranking, upgraded edition (March 2025)History Zone 1
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | History | Zone 1 |
| Minor | Anthropology | Zone 1 |
| Minor | Archaeology | Zone 1 |
Top journal: yesReview journal: no
CAS Xinrui Journal Ranking (March 2026)History Zone 1
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | History | Zone 1 |
| Minor | Anthropology | Zone 2 |
| Minor | Archaeology | Zone 1 |
Top journal: yesReview journal: not marked
CAS Journal Ranking, previous upgraded edition (December 2023)History Zone 1
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | History | Zone 1 |
| Minor | Archaeology | Zone 1 |
| Minor | Anthropology | Zone 2 |
Top journal: yesReview journal: no
Database indexing
SSCIAHCIScopusLetPub
International journal early-warning lists: not listed in any editionLetPub
Indexing the journal's website claims
SCIEERIH PLUSCurrent ContentsPublisher website
Other: Google Scholar, EBSCO, ProQuest, Dimensions, CNKI, Baidu, Naver, OCLC, Portico, CLOCKSS
As the journal's website lists them, not checked against each database; for Web of Science editions the records above apply.
Editions, and major and minor categories, are shown separately and never merged into one zone; check which edition your institution uses before you submit or report.
Metrics
Impact metrics and publication volume
Impact
- Impact factor
- 2.76LetPub ·
- Impact factor (publisher) 2025
- 2.7Publisher website ·
- 5-year impact factor (publisher) 2025
- 3.2Publisher website ·
- CiteScore 2026-06
- 6LetPub ·
- SJR 2026-06
- 1.5LetPub ·
- SNIP 2026-06
- 2.07LetPub ·
- h-index
- 96OpenAlex ·
- i10-index
- 607OpenAlex ·
- 2-year mean citedness
- 2.19OpenAlex ·
- Self-citation rate
- 7.4%LetPub ·
- Share of gold OA articles
- 64.9%LetPub ·
Volume
- Articles per year
- 69LetPub ·
- Downloads per year (publisher) 2025
- 480,800Publisher website ·
Articles by year OpenAlex count · 941 in total · the current year is incomplete
| Year | Articles | Open access | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 74 | 52 | 20 |
| 2025 | 71 | 56 | 169 |
| 2024 | 49 | 34 | 236 |
| 2023 | 40 | 29 | 305 |
| 2022 | 51 | 31 | 782 |
| 2021 | 51 | 30 | 1,112 |
Sources count differently and were observed at different times, so each source's own value is kept; "publisher" marks figures from the journal's website.
Review & acceptance
Review time and acceptance
Review time from article dates manuscript dates registered with Crossref · to
170 daysMedian, submission to acceptance · P25–P75 103 days – 216 days
- Acceptance to online
- median 27 days (96 articles)
- Submission to online
- median 193 days
- Sample
- 57 articles with submission and acceptance dates (160 in the window); the latest was accepted on
Only articles that were accepted and published are counted, not the time spent on rejected manuscripts, so this usually runs longer than a publisher's "time to first decision".
Other sources
- Submission to first decision
- 6 daysPublisher website ·
- Peer review
- Single anonymous peer review, Double anonymous peer reviewPublisher website
Community reports come from authors' own submissions (confidence 0.5) and are not a promise from the journal; for publisher figures, the journal's own definitions apply.
Fees & open access
APC and open-access policy
Hybrid open accessLetPub
A subscription journal in which authors can pay to publish their article open access.
| Source | APC | Fee waiver | License | Observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenAlex | USD 3,190 / EUR 2,590 / GBP 2,290 | — | — |
A hybrid journal charges the APC only when the author chooses open access; publishing under the subscription model is usually free.
The journal's website is authoritative for fees; sources were observed at different times and each keeps its own value, without averaging.
Submission
Article types and submission policies (journal website)
Open calls for papers3, by deadline
Publisher websiteWhat to prepare4 items from the author guidelines
- Abstract
- 150–250 words
- Keywords
- ≥ 4
- Reference style
- Author–date
- Suggested reviewers
- Optional
Article types accepted4
- book reviewEditorial, Original Article, Book Review The journal also publishes Collections (also known as Special Issues), focused on innovations in specific methodologica…Length not stated
- editorialEditorial, Original Article, Book Review The journal also publishes Collections (also known as Special Issues), focused on innovations in specific methodologica…Length not stated
- original articleEditorial, Original Article, Book Review The journal also publishes Collections (also known as Special Issues), focused on innovations in specific methodologica…Length not stated
- reviewEditorial, Original Article, Book Review The journal also publishes Collections (also known as Special Issues), focused on innovations in specific methodologica…Length not stated
Policy excerpts from the journal's websiteAI use, Authorship, Conflicts of interest, Data availability, Publication ethics, License & copyright, Open access, Peer review
- AI use Generative AI Images
Please check Springer’s policy on generative AI images and make sure your work adheres to the principles described therein. Back to top
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Authorship Authorship principles
These guidelines describe authorship principles and good authorship practices to which prospective authors should adhere to. Authorship clarified The Journal and Publisher assume all authors agreed with the content and that all gave explicit consent to submit and that they obtained consent from the responsible authorities at the institute/organization where the work has been carried out, before th…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Conflicts of interest Disclosures and declarations
All authors are requested to include information regarding sources of funding, financial or non-financial interests, study-specific approval by the appropriate ethics committee for research involving humans and/or animals, informed consent if the research involved human participants, and a statement on welfare of animals if the research involved animals (as appropriate). The decision whether such …
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Data availability Data availability statements
All original research must include a data availability statement. This statement should explain how to access data supporting the results and analysis in the article, including links/citations to publicly archived datasets analysed or generated during the study. Please see our full policy here. If it is not possible to share research data publicly, for instance when individual privacy could be com…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Publication ethics Compliance with Ethical Standards
To ensure objectivity and transparency in research and to ensure that accepted principles of ethical and professional conduct have been followed, authors should include information regarding sources of funding, potential conflicts of interest (financial or non-financial), informed consent if the research involved human participants, and a statement on welfare of animals if the research involved an…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- License & copyright Copyright
Open Choice articles do not require transfer of copyright as the copyright remains with the author. In opting for open access, the author(s) agree to publish the article under a Creative Commons license. Details of the OA licences offered to authors can be found on the individual journal website, in the journal's How to publish with us guide. Back to top
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Open access Open access publishing
To find out more about publishing your work Open Access in Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory, including information on fees, funding and licences, visit our Open access publishing page. Back to top
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Peer review Single-blind peer review
This journal follows a single-blind reviewing procedure. This journal also publishes special/guest-edited issues. The peer review process for these articles is the same as the peer review process of the journal in general. Additionally, if a guest editor authors an article in their issue/collection, they will not handle the peer review process.
Source ↗Publisher website ·
Excerpts are quoted from the journal's website; "model summary" lines are written by Workers AI and checked against the text. The journal's website is authoritative.
Profile
Publication details and official links
- Publisher
- Springer Nature
- Frequency
- 4 issues per year
- ISSN
- 1072-5369
- Electronic ISSN
- 1573-7764
- Official links
- Journal homepage ↗OpenAlex
- Submission system ↗LetPub
- Author guidelines ↗LetPub
- Special issues ↗Publisher website
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory
What CAS zone is Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory in?
In the 2025 upgraded edition of the CAS Journal Ranking, Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory is in Zone 1 of History, and in Zone 1 of the minor category Anthropology / Archaeology; it is a Top journal. In the 2026 Xinrui edition it is in Zone 1 of History. Zones from different editions, and from major and minor categories, are not interchangeable.
What is the impact factor of Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory?
The latest impact factor listed by LetPub is 2.76; CiteScore 6, h-index 96.
How long does peer review take at Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory?
Based on the dates recorded on 57 articles published between October 2024 and October 2026 (the last 24 months), the median time from submission to acceptance is 170 days (interquartile range 103–216 days). Article statistics cover accepted papers only, publisher figures follow the journal's own definitions, and community reports come from authors' own submissions; none is a promise from the journal.
What are the manuscript requirements of Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory?
According to the journal's author guidelines: Abstract: 150–250 words; Keywords: ≥ 4; Reference style: Author–date; Suggested reviewers: Optional. A model extracted these from the author guidelines and each was checked against the text; check the latest version on the journal's website before submitting.
Where are the editorial board members of Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory based?
Of the 30 board members whose country the journal's board page names, none are in mainland China; the countries named most often are United States (14), United Kingdom (4) and France (3). Counted from the institutions listed on the board page; for reference only.
Which databases index Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory?
According to LetPub and DOAJ records, Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory is indexed in SSCI, AHCI and Scopus. The journal's website also lists SCIE, ERIH PLUS and Current Contents; that list has not been checked against each database.
Is Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory open access, and what is the APC?
Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory is a hybrid journal. For open-access publication: APC about USD 3,190.
Sources and updates
The facts on this page come from LetPub, OpenAlex, Publisher website; every figure is tagged with its source and the date it was observed, and conflicting values are kept per source. LetPub source page: view ↗ (archived 2026-08-26). Last updated: .