Journal profile · Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Journal of Archaeological Science
ISSN 0305-4403 · eISSN 1095-9238 · Academic Press Inc. · ENGLAND · Monthly · Founded 1974
Journal of Archaeological Science: CAS Zone 1 · Earth Sciences (2025 upgraded edition, Top journal); impact factor 2.86; hybrid open access; APC about USD 4,040; review about 155 days (submission to acceptance, publisher); community-reported acceptance: easy; 240 articles in 2025; indexed in SCIE, SSCI, AHCI and Scopus.
Scope
Aims, scope and focus
Journal of Archaeological Science is published by Academic Press Inc. and is in Zone 1 of Earth Sciences 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 Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies, together about 46.3% of its articles. Its main subfields are Archeology. (generated from OpenAlex topic counts and CAS ranking data)
The Journal of Archaeological Science provides an international forum for archaeologists and scientists from widely different scientific backgrounds who share a common interest in developingand applying scientific methods to inform major debates in archaeological research.The Journal of Archaeological Science is interested in papers that are: Presenting major advances in scientific methods and techniques in archaeology Showcasing innovative science Shaping global debates Addressing questions of broad significance Describing studies with far-reaching applicabilityIf your article is concerned with the use of an established technique, in the context of a case study, please consider our sister journal Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports.
From the journal's Aims & Scope
Research area (LetPub): Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Editor-in-chief Marcos Martinón-TorresPublisher website
Editorial board by country: 3 in mainland China (about 6%); most named United Kingdom 19, United States 12, Australia 5, Mainland China 3, Germany 3 (53 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 Sciences24.1%
- Pleistocene-Era Hominins and ArchaeologySocial Sciences13.9%
- Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology StudiesArts and Humanities8.2%
- Cultural Heritage Materials AnalysisArts and Humanities6.7%
- Geology and Paleoclimatology ResearchEarth and Planetary Sciences6.1%
- Isotope Analysis in EcologyEnvironmental Science4.7%
- Pacific and Southeast Asian StudiesSocial Sciences4.5%
- Building materials and conservationEarth and Planetary Sciences2.9%
Rankings & indexing
CAS ranking and database indexing
CAS Journal Ranking
CAS Journal Ranking, upgraded edition (March 2025)Earth Sciences Zone 1
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Earth Sciences | Zone 1 |
| Minor | Archaeology | Zone 1 |
| Minor | Geosciences, Multidisciplinary | Zone 1 |
| Minor | Anthropology | Zone 2 |
Top journal: yesReview journal: no
CAS Xinrui Journal Ranking (March 2026)Earth Sciences Zone 1
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Earth Sciences | Zone 1 |
| Minor | Anthropology | Zone 1 |
| Minor | Archaeology | Zone 1 |
| Minor | Geosciences, Multidisciplinary | Zone 1 |
Top journal: yesReview journal: not marked
CAS Journal Ranking, previous upgraded edition (December 2023)Earth Sciences Zone 1
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Earth Sciences | Zone 1 |
| Minor | Anthropology | Zone 1 |
| Minor | Archaeology | Zone 1 |
| Minor | Geosciences, Multidisciplinary | Zone 1 |
Top journal: yesReview journal: no
Database indexing
SCIESSCIAHCIScopusLetPub
International journal early-warning lists: not listed in any editionLetPub
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
- 2.86LetPub ·
- Impact factor (publisher)
- 2.9Publisher website ·
- CiteScore 2026-06
- 4.4LetPub ·
- CiteScore (publisher)
- 4.4Publisher website ·
- SJR 2026-06
- 1.18LetPub ·
- SNIP 2026-06
- 1.85LetPub ·
- h-index
- 108LetPub ·
- h-index
- 213OpenAlex ·
- i10-index
- 5,787OpenAlex ·
- 2-year mean citedness
- 2.61OpenAlex ·
- Self-citation rate
- 13.8%LetPub ·
- Share of gold OA articles
- 52.79%LetPub ·
Volume
- Articles per year
- 219LetPub ·
Articles by year OpenAlex count · 7,696 in total · the current year is incomplete
| Year | Articles | Open access | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 179 | 113 | 61 |
| 2025 | 240 | 146 | 511 |
| 2024 | 147 | 93 | 903 |
| 2023 | 128 | 68 | 1,026 |
| 2022 | 109 | 58 | 1,380 |
| 2021 | 150 | 83 | 2,671 |
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
Publisher-reported review time from the journal's website
155 dayssubmission to acceptance · community reports 2–4 weeks
The publisher's own definition applies; dates from this journal's articles in the last 24 months are not available yet, so the publisher's figure is used.
Figures by source
- Average review time (community reports)
- 2–4 weeksLetPub ·
- Average acceptance (community reports)
- EasyLetPub ·
- Submission to first decision
- 6 daysPublisher website ·
- First decision after review
- 56 daysPublisher website ·
- Submission to acceptance
- 155 daysPublisher website ·
- Acceptance to publication
- 11 daysPublisher website ·
- Peer review
- Single 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 4,040 / EUR 3,780 / GBP 3,230 / JPY 501,080 | — | — | |
| Publisher website | USD 3,920 | — | — |
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)
What to prepare5 items from the author guidelines
- Abstract
- ≤ 250 words
- Keywords
- ≥ 3
- Manuscript length
- ≤ 5,000 words
- Reference style
- Author–date
- Not considered
- case studies using established techniques
Policy excerpts from the journal's websiteAI use, Authorship, Conflicts of interest, License & copyright, Open access, Peer review, Preprints
- AI use Declaration of generative AI use
Authors must declare the use of generative AI tools in the manuscript preparation process upon submission of the paper.Generative AI and AI-assisted technologies (“AI tools”) have been rapidly adopted in research and scholarly publishing, offering significant benefits while requiring clear standards for responsible and transparent use.Authors preparing a manuscript for this journal may use AI tool…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Authorship Group authorship
Group authorship refers to the attribution of an article to a defined and named group of authors whose members have contributed to the work. Examples include research consortia, clinical trial groups, collaborative networks, task forces or working groups, expert panels or consensus groups, and participatory research groups. Group authorship must be declared on the title page at submission. When av…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Conflicts of interest Declaration of competing interests
All authors must disclose any financial and personal relationships with other people or organizations that could inappropriately influence or bias their work. Examples of potential competing interests include:EmploymentConsultanciesStock ownershipHonorariaPaid expert testimonyPatent applications or registrationsGrants or any other fundingAffiliation with the journal as an Editor or Advisory Board …
Source ↗Publisher website ·- License & copyright License options
Authors will be offered open access user license options which will determine how you, and third parties, can reuse your open access article. We advise that you review these options and any funding body license requirements before selecting a license option.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Open access Open access
We refer you to our open access information page to learn about open access options for this journal.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Peer review Peer review
This journal follows a single anonymized review process. Your submission will initially be assessed by our editors. If your submission is deemed suitable, it will typically be sent to be reviewed by a minimum of two reviewers for an independent expert assessment of the scientific quality. The decision as to whether your article is accepted or rejected for publication will be made by our editors.Re…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Preprints Preprints
Preprint sharingAuthors may share preprints in line with Elsevier's article sharing policy. Sharing preprints, such as on a preprint server, will not count as prior publication.We advise you to read our policy on multiple, redundant or concurrent publication.
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
- Academic Press Inc.
- Country or region
- ENGLAND
- Language
- English
- Frequency
- Monthly
- Founded
- 1974
- ISSN
- 0305-4403
- Electronic ISSN
- 1095-9238
- Official links
- Journal homepage ↗OpenAlex
- Submission system ↗Publisher website
- Special issues ↗Publisher website
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Journal of Archaeological Science
What CAS zone is Journal of Archaeological Science in?
In the 2025 upgraded edition of the CAS Journal Ranking, Journal of Archaeological Science is in Zone 1 of Earth Sciences, and in Zone 1 of the minor category Archaeology / Geosciences, Multidisciplinary / Anthropology; it is a Top journal. In the 2026 Xinrui edition it is in Zone 1 of Earth Sciences. Zones from different editions, and from major and minor categories, are not interchangeable.
What is the impact factor of Journal of Archaeological Science?
The latest impact factor listed by LetPub is 2.86; CiteScore 4.4, h-index 213.
How long does peer review take at Journal of Archaeological Science?
The publisher reports about 155 days (submission to acceptance); authors report an average review time of 2–4 weeks; the community-reported acceptance is “Easy”. 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 Science?
According to the journal's author guidelines: Abstract: ≤ 250 words; Keywords: ≥ 3; Manuscript length: ≤ 5,000 words; Reference style: Author–date. 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 Science based?
Of the 53 board members whose country the journal's board page names, 3 (about 6%) are in mainland China; the countries named most often are United Kingdom (19), United States (12) and Australia (5). Counted from the institutions listed on the board page; for reference only.
Which databases index Journal of Archaeological Science?
According to LetPub and DOAJ records, Journal of Archaeological Science is indexed in SCIE, SSCI, AHCI and Scopus.
Is Journal of Archaeological Science open access, and what is the APC?
Journal of Archaeological Science is a hybrid journal. For open-access publication: APC about USD 4,040.
Sources and updates
The facts on this page come from LetPub, Publisher website, OpenAlex; 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 2026-08-25). Last updated: .